by Karl Sisson, Director of Development
The Heritage Group

April 2007 - A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) often provides, in a campus-like setting, comprehensive services for seniors that include housing for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care all in one community.  Many CCRCs are private, non-profit organizations, and many have religious affiliations.  According to the Assisted Living Federation of America, about 350,000 residents currently live in approximately 1,200 CCRCs across the United States.

The number of residents in a CCRC varies, but the average is about 300 per community.  Initially, residents typically lead an active lifestyle while living in independent housing residences.  If additional services or health care is ever needed, residents have priority to the higher levels of care – assisted living and skilled nursing.

Residents commonly pay an initial entrance fee and an on-going monthly fee thereafter.  These fees vary considerably depending on factors such as the level of financial risk for long-term care services, the size of the residential unit chosen, whether fees are for single individuals or couples, and the type of additional services and amenities provided.

CCRCs promote good health for their residents by encouraging exercise, proper nutrition, and social involvement.  Many CCRCs attempt to maintain their residents' health and functioning through disease prevention and early detection of health problems. The key difference between a Continuing Care Retirement Community and an Assisted Living Facility is that a CCRC is committed to managing a resident’s needs regardless of changes in health for life.  An Assisted Living Facility is not committed to meeting an individual’s needs for their entire life.  As an individual’s health declines, the Assisted Living Facility setting may no longer be appropriate and another setting in a separate physical location, such as a skilled nursing facility, could become a more appropriate option.

Owned and operated by The Heritage Group, Heritage Village (Gerry, NY) is defined by New York State as a “Look-Alike” or “Independent Market Rate Continuing Care Retirement Community”.  Since 1972, Heritage Village has offered the advantages of a CCRC with independent living housing in both cottages and apartments at Heritage Village Retirement Campus, assisted living apartments and services in Bergquist Memorial, and rehab and long-term skilled nursing services in Heritage Village Rehab & Skilled Nursing.

A Daughter Shows Her Gratitude

In the life of any non-profit organization, it is so encouraging to receive a thank you note or letter from someone you serve or from the family member of someone entrusted to your care.  Such was the case for David Smeltzer, Executive Director for The Heritage Group.  He received the following heartfelt letter from Sharon (Kooman) View, a daughter whose parents, Hubert and Mary Kooman, experienced the many benefits of continuing care at Heritage Village.

There have been many times when I have experienced positive outcomes or have been the recipient of services well done and I have told myself I would write someone to inform them of my gratitude.  However, usually time passes, life remains hectic and I don’t follow through.  However, this time I am making it a point to follow through!

My mom, Mary Kooman, has been at Bergquist Memorial and my dad, Hubert Kooman, was a resident of Heritage Village before passing away.  My dad was not in a state of mind to appreciate the care given to him but I want to share with you some of the things our mom has said about her care and some of the things my brother and I have observed.

To first give you some background…after caring for our dad for many years and having undergone two surgeries and months of rehabilitation, our mom was exhausted.  She had previously been in another assisted living community and our dad in another nursing home.  Since my brother and I live several hours away, it was difficult to find ways for our parents to see each other.  When we discovered that it would be possible for my mom to visit my dad via the van at Heritage Village, we jumped at the opportunity to try to place them on the same campus in Gerry.  My mom faithfully visited him three times a week, missing only two or three times.

The atmosphere at Bergquist Memorial is one of caring, concern, consideration and just plain good fun.  The nursing staff goes out of their way to be of assistance and do so with genuine care and concern.  I have shared many meals with mom and I am awed by the patience and quality time the servers give to all residents.  Last summer, my mom participated in the walks around the circle at Bergquist and she was awarded a trophy and a certificate for the over thirteen miles that she walked during the season.  She proudly displays both on her windowsill for all to see and she hopes to walk again this year.  The nurses, dietary staff, drivers, housekeeping, maintenance, social worker, chaplain, and I know many others are all the best to be found.  During the time of my dad’s funeral, my brother’s children and their spouses all agreed that the care, staff and atmosphere at Bergquist were nothing like they had witnessed at any other similar facility where some of their relatives had been in other states.  All of the people at Bergquist have contributed to my mom being able to say, “I am so glad my kids found this place for me!”

Our dad experienced care on two wings of Heritage Village (Rehab & Skilled Nursing).  The wing where he spent the most time was the one where his room faced Route 60.  Both wings, however, had staff members who were extremely helpful, dedicated and caring.  My mom came to know some of the nursing staff by name.  We never experienced long waits when we asked for assistance, which we had been accustomed to at other health care locations.  During the few days when my dad was dying, the nurses were very supportive, informative and caring.

To thank these super people, I brought some goodie baskets for them a few weeks ago.  However, I wanted to share our thoughts with you and the other administrative staff, because you may not often have a chance to witness the superb service these people give to a sometimes very challenging older population.  I would be pleased if you would share this letter with as many people as possible including the board members.

Thank you, too, for what you do in offering the services our mom and dad have received.

Peace of Mind

When asked why she sent the letter, Sharon explains, “I wanted to let the management of The Heritage Group know what special people they had working at Heritage Village.”  She continued, “It is very difficult to care for parents long distance.  My brother lives in Chicago and I live four hours away in Syracuse.  Thankfully, I know Heritage Village provided compassionate care to my father in the last days of his life and Bergquist Memorial continues to do the same for my mother now.”

“The Heritage Group has definitely helped me with my anxiety,” Sharon comments.  “The staff at Bergquist know everyone, including me, on a first name basis.  I appreciate the staff and how they relate to mom.  Mom talks non-stop about the people there.  They care about her and she cares about them.  For example, when mom had to go the hospital one night, one of the attendants, Jason Stone (on his own time) stayed with her in the Emergency Room.  I can’t tell you how much that meant to me.  I, along with my brother, would recommend Heritage Village to anyone.”

Sharon is quick to point out how fortunate she has been to have such wonderful parents.  She remembers, “My dad always had a great sense of humor, was friendly, and was an incredibly hard worker.  Sharon adds, “Mom was also a hard worker.  As a traditional housewife, she was a fastidious housekeeper.  They enjoyed a neat marriage relationship.  I would catch them holding hands under the table.  I’ll never forget those signs of affection and what they mean to me.”

Because of demand for more independent living housing and larger residences, Heritage Village Retirement Campus is currently accepting reservations for Hillview Cottages to be constructed on its Gerry campus.  These spacious, duplex homes, will encircle one lake and overlook another, and are available in a one or two-bedroom floor plan.  As with current residents, new residents will take advantages of all the benefits associated with continuing care.  To schedule a visit and learn more about the Hillview Cottages, contact Sandy Ahlgren at (716) 985-6839.