Part 3 of 3
A geriatric care manager, she assesses clients’ needs and abilities and makes recommendations for care that will maximize their independence in the least restrictive manner.
“Aging in place is a very national phenomenon and I’m committed to having people remain in their homes,” Horazdovsky said.
The ability to age in place is partly why Homer has experienced an increase in its 60-plus population. According to information provided by Jeanne Camp, economic analyst with the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the 1990 United States Census reported there were 355 Homer residents in that age bracket, or 9.7 percent of the city’s population. Ten years later, that segment of the population had jumped to 540, or 13.7 percent of the city’s total population.
Angie Newby, broker-owner of Homer Real Estate, reports that newcomers are another reason this segment of Homer’s population is growing.
“The majority of buyers we’re working with are baby boomers, early retirees, people looking for early retirement who want to secure their little bit of paradise away from whatever city or state their moving from,” Newby said. “Our real estate market in the last three to five years has changed dramatically because of the demographics of our buyers.”
From Newby’s standpoint, seniors choose to live in Homer for a number of reasons.
“Many people have always been fascinated by Alaska,” Newby said. “They come up, see the natural beauty, see affordable housing, see a real vibrant community, see an opportunity to make a difference in a small town and be a part of a community.”
Homer’s numerous nonprofits offer avenues to become involved.
“A lot of nonprofit organizations run the gamut - arts, environmental, historical, literary. They offer opportunities for volunteerism that almost replaces a former career. I think that’s a huge draw,” Newby said, adding. “A lot do have families (here), but the majority don’t.”
Another gauge of Homer’s expanding senior population is the growth of Homer Senior Citizens Inc., which began in the early 1970s. Today, it provides services to more than 600 seniors, serves close to 50,000 meals a year, has a staff of 40, a volunteer force of some 150 individuals and a budget that is close to $2 million.
“I can’t confirm this, but I think we’re pretty close to being the 10th largest employer and organization in Homer,” said Fred Lau, HSCI administrator.
Services offered by the center include an adult day care service, assisted living that is licensed for 40 and more than 20 units of independent housing with construction on another nine units to begin late this year or early in 2008. The center’s transportation program includes three vans and a small four-wheel drive pickup used for meal delivery. It also is involved in the MASST, the state of Alaska’s Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training program that helps prepare seniors for employment opportunities. Activities sponsored by the center include pinochle, bridge, pool and numerous special events such as dinners and dances.
“We also have some organizations from the community that use our facility as a meeting place,” Lau said. That includes local organizations, as well as an AARP representative who helps seniors and low-income individuals prepare their income taxes, a Social Security representative that visits once a month and a Medicare volunteer who offers assistance.
A noon meal is served Monday through Friday in the center’s dining room, which can seat as many as 120.
“It’s primarily for seniors who are 60 and over, but people are welcome to come and visit,” Lau said. There is an $8 charge for individuals less than 60 years of age and a $5 donation asked of those more than 60. The center also has a contract with the city to provide three meals a day for inmates in the Homer Jail.
“We’re doing a lot more than people realize we’re doing,” Lau said, adding that the Homer community area offers a number of attractions for seniors.
“We have kind of a unique situation where people can come and be independent, live in their own home, live in senior housing, move into assisted living as a next step and (South Peninsula Hospital’s) long term care,” Lau said. “One thing people told me when I came here is that they wanted to be able to stay here. They didn’t want to have to go to Anchorage to get what they need. If it can be provided here, then I think they’ll stay here.”
About the same time Homer Senior Citizens, Inc., was getting started, South Peninsula Hospital opened its long term care unit with four residents. It has since expanded to 25 beds and offers a large day area with a view of Kachemak Bay, a fireplace, reading area, full kichen, beauty salon, a whirlpool tub room and a deck for enjoying the fresh air when the weather permits. The rooms are designed for double occupancy, but each resident has a separate area they are encouraged to decorate to their personal tastes, according to Derotha Ferraro, SPH marketing coordinator. A separate room is available if a resident and his or her family needs privacy.
Staff at the long term care unit include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, a massage therapist, social worker, activities coordinator and an account representative. The community also plays an integral role, whether its the hair stylist that makes weekly visits, musicians that stop in to perform or members of local organizations and churches that participate in activities and holiday celebrations. A van offers transportation so residents also can enjoy activities outside of the hospital.
“We stay as close to 96 percent capacity,” Ferraro said. “There’s the rare out-of-stater, but mostly these are people that actually lived in the community their adult life or their adult children live here and they’re relocated to be with their children. It enables elders to remain in the community and live longer independently.”
Another option for individuals needing assistance in their day-to-day lives is offered at the L/V Ark, which is operated as a nonprofit by Marjanne Schneider and has room for six residents. It was originally known as “Detente” and operated by Mary Raymond. Schneider took over when Raymond retired last fall. Although it is not geared specifically for seniors, the majority of the Ark’s residents are elderly.
“It’s unique because its based on a philosophy of caring where people are cared with rather than cared for, so they are actively involved in their care,” Schneider said. “They can eat when they want, do what they want. There is no set schedule. It’s as homelike as we can possibly make it.”
The Ark has a staff of 15, plus volunteers that include students from Homer High School and Homer Flex School completing their community service requirements.
“I have a waiting list, some from outside of the community, but most are either from here or have relatives here,” Schneider said.
Maureen Moore, care coordinator for Hospice of Homer, offered another view of how Homer is meeting the needs of its senior population.
“The hospice mission is to help people transition at the end of life, but many of our elderly people aren’t necessarily at that place. There are more clients that are just elderly and need a visitor, to have somebody in their life so they aren’t lonely,” Moore said of a volunteer visitor program designed with those needs in mind. “It’s just a person that says hi, how are you doing this week, can we have a cup of coffee or lunch, can I go shopping for you. It’s a direct-care volunteer.”
Approximately 30 hospice volunteers are providing services to some 40 individuals. The number of individuals being served has increased steadily, Moore said, as a result of people becoming aware of the programs offered, all of which are free.
Being knowledgeable of the services Homer provides its senior residents is exactly what Horazdovsky’s business is about. Her clients, which number almost 20, have far-reaching requirements. One individual, whom she described as “fiercely independent,” has no family close by and mostly needs someone to help with paperwork. Another situation involves an elderly couple in need of round-the-close care.
“This is a journey for me,” Horazdovsky said of matching needs with available services. In terms of the community and still-to-be discovered avenues for taking care of Homer’s seniors, she added, “I think we could be more creative. And Homer is a wonderful place to be creative.”
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
