Lubbock resident Catherine Baldwin Benge has experienced the benefits of Comfort Keepers two ways - first as a family member of a client, then as a client herself.
Catherine first worked with Comfort Keepers in 2005 when she turned to the company to supplement her mother's care. Catherine's mother, Pearl Cox, was a resident at Grand Court and enjoyed visits from Comfort Keepers' caregivers for about a year or so before she passed away.
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"Comfort Keepers always did well with her, so I called them when I was looking ahead for assistance with my needs," Catherine says. "I felt like they were easy to communicate with and the people they sent were always efficient. They have a way about them which makes adjusting to care easier."
Catherine, who was a teacher for 21 years, was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, about two and a half years ago. Until a few months ago, she managed quite well on her own, but last autumn her symptoms progressed to the point where extra assistance with daily tasks was necessary. That's when Catherine again turned to Comfort Keepers, this time for her own care.
Today Catherine is visited by a Comfort Keepers' caregiver four times a week for two hours in the morning. In addition to cooking breakfast, changing linens and helping with laundry, the caregiver assists Catherine with bathing, curling her hair, and getting dressed. Catherine says they will soon be adding stretching exercises to the morning routine.
"They are easy to deal with," says Catherine, who is particularly complimentary of her caregiver Cindy. "Anything I want to do, she's able to do."
Catherine says she especially appreciates the flexibility of Comfort Keepers' services. For example, Cindy will arrive very early in the morning to help Catherine get ready for an early morning flight out of Lubbock. On Sunday mornings, Cindy comes early so Catherine is ready for church on time.
Comfort Keepers, located at 8207 Hudson Ave. in Lubbock, provides an array of in-home, non-medical care services that includes companionship, meal preparation, personal care, incidental transportation, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, and more. As with Catherine, many clients simply require assistance with the activities of daily living. Comfort Keepers can help where needed so clients maintain their independence in the comfort of their own homes. Comfort Keepers provides services in the home, assisted living facility, hospital or retirement community.
For Catherine, who lives with her husband, Charles, and son, Tim Baldwin, Comfort Keepers is an excellent supplement to the medical care she receives, as well as a help to her family. The extra level of non-medical assistance Comfort Keepers can provide ensures that all Catherine's needs are met, and that in turn allows her to remain at home.
"My goal is to stay at home, and choosing Comfort Keepers allows me to stay here where I'm comfortable," says Catherine. "They're very dependable and trustworthy, and they've adapted as my needs wonderfully."
For additional information about Comfort Keepers, visit
http://www.comfortkeepers.com/ To see the complete article on this story, click here:
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/020209/bus_383901810.shtml
A growing number of older Americans choose to continue living
On May 16, a flock of ducks will be dumped into the Delaware River and they will race to the finish line to help wishes come true for county seniors.This whole scenario is the brainchild of Springfield residents Sallie and Clark Bongaardt, who are using the event to fund the non-profit Not-To-Be-Forgotten Foundation.In 2002, Sallie Bongaardt formed Comfort Keepers, a provider of assisted living-style care for seniors and the disabled in their homes after both of her parents died two months apart in 1999.Through that service, her employees have seen the struggles many seniors face and Bongaardt wanted to give them hope so she formed the Not-To-Be-Forgotten Foundation in September.Last fall, the foundation helped the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging provide 59 seniors with $300 of home fuel costs.“Two people were bed-bound with literally no heat,” Bongaardt said. “Another was a blind, partially deaf veteran of a foreign war.”They also hope to hold elder exploitation and medication educational programs.With the Pennsylvania Ducky Derby, featuring fowl of the rubber variety, Bongaardt wants to create a solid foundation to start providing wishes for seniors.“I’m hoping that the duck derby will raise sufficient funds to get the going on a big scale,” the foundation’s executive director said.She’s already had one request. A county lady was feeding her cats and dogs instead of herself and Bongaardt said she’s hoping her foundation can help fill that gap.She also has other ideas in mind.Bongaardt said some of the homes her staff enter need maintenance as residents are using buckets to catch the water coming through the holes on the roof.“It really tugs at your heart,” she said.Another senior, whose a huge baseball fan, has told them, “Before I die, I just want to see that new stadium.”To raise funds to fulfill these, the foundation is hosting the Pennsylvania Ducky Derby on May 16.Governor Printz Park opens at 1 p.m. that day for activities such as face painting and a moonbounce. Ducks can be adopted up to 3 p.m.“It’s going to be a fun, family day,” Bongaardt said.Depending on the tide, the ducks will be dropped into the river at 4 p.m. The grand prize winner wins a week stay at Sea Isle City, N.J. Second place takes an HDTV.Leading up to the race, a 12-feet inflatable duck is making its rounds throughout the county to encourage people to adopt the critters.Bongaardt just wants to honor those who came before her.“They are the (ones) who built our bridges, fought our wars, who made our country exactly what it is today,” she said.Remembering her call to help seniors, Bongaardt reiterated, “I’ve got to do this. I’ve got to do this now.”Ducks can be adopted for $5 each or six for $25 online at http://www.ntbff.org/ or by calling 888-521-4333. They can also be adopted at Comfort Keepers or Best Buy in Springfield, at any M&T Bank in the county or the Granite Run Mall. this article originally printed and shared from the Delaware County Daily Times on May 2, 2009, Kathleen Carey, writer kcarey@delcotimes.com
Our Conscientious Acts of Kindness Campaign will kick off with a Tea Party in October 2009. Our special guests will be members of the senior population in Delaware County who are invited to bring family members and friends. All groups in attendance must have a senior citizen (60+ years of age) as a member of their party. The Tea Party will act as an outreach program focused on connecting the generations, bringing awareness to senior issues and challenging the younger generations and the community at large to take a daily interest in those seniors whose lives cross paths with their own by making conscientious choices to assist seniors in their neighborhoods, in their communities and in their families with purposeful acts of kindness. For instance, bringing trash cans up from the curb on trash day, assisting in unloading a grocery cart at the grocery store, making sure their walkways are safe by shoveling their snow or raking leaves. Bring your daughters, sons and your seniors to the Tea Party on October 24, 2009 at Villanova Conference Center, Villanova, PA. To read more about ntbf, go to http://www.ntbff.org/. To see more about Tea Party, go to website and click on events. Cost of Tea Party is $12 per person.
If you haven't been to the PA Veterans' Museum in Media, PA you have to go. It is absolutely amazing. There is so much to see and to learn in this wonderful tribute to our Veterans of Delaware County. There are displays as seen in this picture that show the reality of what WWII was like as well as glass cases full of actual weapons and other items such as helmets, flags and gear worn or used by soldiers. There is one case that even has a flag and a hat from a soldier in the German army during WWII. So much history right there in Delaware County. It is truly an amazing and wonderful place. Recently they showcased the Women in the Military movie that was made and have on diplay currently Women's military items and story of how women served and helped out in the war effort. It truly is a great place to visit and the best part is....it is FREE. No charge to take your kids in and look around. To learn more about it, go to http://www.paveteransmuseum.org/home/
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