Woodbury,
Dr. Richard Silverman of Southbury,
a pulmonologist practicing in Waterbury, is the founder of the Home-to-Home
Foundation. Committed to providing one-on-one stimulation and social
interaction based on a resident's areas of interest, the foundation
relies on donations of supplies and a network of volunteers who visit
nursing homes on a regular basis.
Several years ago, Dr. Silverman began noticing subtle changes in a
number of Waterbury-area, long-term, care facilities. While the patient
population was rising, staffs seemed to be shrinking. Budget cuts were
forcing a reduction in recreational activities and companion services. While
basic care was being provided, he found, many people were withdrawing
due to lack of all but minimal day-to-day social interaction.
Dr. Silverman began arranging activities and events for his patients,
a visit from a professional athlete for a sports fan, for example,
or a special dinner for a patient who passed a rehabilitation milestone.
He noticed improvement in motivation and long-term stability, including
a decline in the need for medications and less frequent trips to the
hospital, in the patients with whom he was able to spend more time.
"
Just minimal human contact can make such a big difference," said
Washington resident Tracey O. Sperry, Home-to-Home Foundation's newly
appointed executive director. "It's no fault of the nursing homes," she
said. "Critical care has to be the focus. But when budgets are
cut, recreational programs are the first things to go. Our hope is
to get non-professionals and the private sector to pick up the slack."
Since its inception in 2001, the grass roots organization has amassed
a group of volunteers and started programs in seven Greater Waterbury-area
nursing homes. The group recruits, trains and coordinates assignments
for volunteers who read to nursing home residents, act as pen-pals,
plant flowers, teach crafts or computer skills, provide pet visits,
perform music or "just sit and hold hands."
Girl Scouts of the Connecticut Trails Council earn patches by taking
part in volunteer activities through Home-to-Home. Students at Rotella
Magnet School have planned an Easter program for residents of Cheshire
House, a long-term care facility in Waterbury.
"
One of our goals is to tap into every school with a community service
component," Ms. Sperry said.
Board member Lisa Taccardi has seen the benefits of one-on-one volunteer-to-resident
contact over and over. As the owner of Watertown-based Angels Watching
Over You, a for-profit company providing care to the elderly, Ms. Taccardi
became involved with Home-to-Home about nine months ago out of concern
for nursing home residents who couldn't afford to pay for a service
like hers. "My company does provide that service in convalescent
homes, but my heart has always gone out to people who don't have those
resources available to them," she said. "From my personal
experience, people just thrive with one-on-one human contact. I've
seen time and time again how the elderly improve with one-on-one human
contact - that's actual physical improvement in overall health. "It's
not the fault of the convalescent homes," she said, "but
I used to work in one and I was very frustrated with the time constraints.
The Home-to-Home Foundation is a Godsend. It's a dream come true. I'm
so grateful to be part of this."
Tammy Campanelli, administrator of Cedar Lane Rehabilitation and Health
Care Center in Waterbury, couldn't agree more. "We get cards on
every holiday, we get visits from the Girl Scouts and lots of other
volunteers. It's truly wonderful," she said. "The residents
love it, I love it. It's nice to know that people from outside care
so much about our environment here." Cedar Lane is a licensed
180-bed facility with a 30-bed long-term care unit for residents on
life support ventilators. |
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Because
of their situation, some of our residents don't have the opportunity
to see anyone but family and close
friends," she said. "Because Dr. Silverman is a pulmonologist,
he understands the uniqueness of our population. "When these people
come in, it's so uplifting. It gives our residents a chance to become
part of the community."
Eileen Ackerman is Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Cedar Lane
and a member of the foundation's advisory board. "Home-to-Home
does so much for us," she told Voices. "They have kids make
different decorations for us for each of the holidays, which just brightens
the faces of our residents. It really puts a smile on their faces to
see what the children have made for them."
On Valentine's Day, the foundation sponsored visits to Cedar Lane and
other area nursing homes by the Valley Chordsmen, who serenaded residents
barber-shop style. "The residents appreciated that so much," Ms.
Sperry said "There were tears in lots of eyes that day." "We
have so many gaps," Ms. Campanelli said. "This absolutely
fills the spaces."
Besides coordinating volunteers and sponsoring events, Ms. Sperry advised,
Home-to-Home hopes to act as a clearinghouse for donations. "We
amass a lot of VCRs, videos, and books," she said, "and we
distribute them where they're needed. We're currently gathering computers
for the use of residents so they can e-mail family and friends."
Home-to-Home also hopes to act as a link between nursing homes, providing
a central location where nursing homes can post their "wish list." If
Nursing Home A needs a VCR and Nursing Home B has five, for example,
the foundation can facilitate a transfer. Later this year, Home-to-Home
intends to begin a weekly or monthly newsletter for nursing home residents.
Organizers hope to get help with that from students in high school
journalism clubs.
Besides Cedar Lane and Cheshire House, Home-to-Home currently serves
Abbott Terrace and Crescent Manor in Waterbury, Waterbury Extended
Care and Watertown Convalarium in Watertown, and Glendale Center in
Naugatuck.
One of the frustrating parts of her job, the director said, is not
being able to accommodate all the nursing homes that seek a relationship
with Home-to-Home. "Certainly within six months we hope to be
working with a much broader base," she told Voices. "One
of our goals is to go state-wide. But first, we have to build up our
team of volunteers and our financial base."
Ms. Taccardi told Voices the organization is hoping to expand into
the western suburbs. "There are quite a few convalescent homes
and assisted living facilities in and around Southbury," she said. "We'd
like to get someone local on our advisory board, so we can bring our
service to that area. "It all depends on the money and the volunteers," she
said.
Meanwhile, organizers are hoping to raise much-needed funds through
the April 18 bowl-a-thon. "It's going to be lots of fun," Ms.
Sperry said. "The mayors of Waterbury, Wolcott and Naugatuck will
be bowling against each other." Bowling times will be staggered
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. Each team will consist of a captain
and four members; teams must raise a minimum of $150 to compete. All
proceeds will be used by the Home-to-Home Foundation to enhance the
quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities. (Ms. Sperry
is the only paid employee; her salary is paid by a grant from the Western
Connecticut Area Agency on Aging.)
Those wishing to volunteer or seeking additional information on the
Home-to-Home Foundation may visit www.hometohomefoundation.org or call
203-757-5449. Monetary contributions may be made to the Home-to-Home
Foundation, in care of Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, 84
Progress Lane, Waterbury 06705.
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