Home care makes for challenging option

BY JON MEYER

The choice between nursing care and taking on the personal care of an elderly relative can be daunting — and it’s sometimes one that relatives make hastily when examining their options.

Saint Alphonsus Home Health Services social worker Gloria Keathley said many children promise they’ll never put their parents in a nursing home, choosing instead to take caregiving responsibilities into their own hands. She salutes people who choose this route, but says there are a lot of challenges that go with taking an older person into your home.

“I think some people do their research and others just sort of jump in,” Keathley said. “Sometimes the crisis might be that mom or dad needs help now. So they do it, take them home with them, and it’s then that they realize that they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.”

Keathley helps coordinate outside services for people who may need assistance in their homes, or with patients in their homes.

As a community resource educator she said there is a lot of help people can get from organizations in the community. Whether it be in the vast planning aspect, the financial requirements of the task or the personal toll that being a caregiver is bound to take on families and friendships, there are people and resources to help.

Planning for caregiving

A big step is planning and assessing time, space and abilities.

“The time investment varies with what your loved one might need. If it is a dementia patient we’re looking at a very serious time (investment).”

In addition to the time, Bonnie Lawrence of the Family Caregiver Alliance, said there are space requirements when someone moves anywhere, especially when they may be bringing hospital equipment and special needs along as well.

“The first challenge is physical. Simply, do you have enough space in the house? You may need a new room or have people move around,” Lawrence, a community manager for the alliance said. “(The person receiving care) needs to be downstairs. They need access to the bathroom. People in wheelchairs might need doors widened, and there can’t be area rugs for them to trip on. There’s a lot to think about.”

Financing home care

After the planning has started, and the challenges and commitment set in, many people realize the financial requirements of the undertaking. It’s also around this time that many people realize they can’t do it alone.

However, outside help costs money, too — money that may be a little tighter once people take on part-time caregiver responsibilities.

“There may be major costs if you need to go to part time or quit your job. It could really affect your income and your retirement,” Lawrence said. “They should take a real good look at this.”

Little costs pile up quickly. Medications, supplies, special food, incontinence supplies — plus all the things that aren’t covered under Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance— can make up a large chunk of cost, Lawrence said.

Help is available to make the transition easier. If people do their homework to look into the assistance they can receive as caregivers, experts agree that it can be a viable alternative to assisted living or nursing home care.

“It’s most important to realize that there are resources out there to help,” Keathley said. “You’re not alone.”

Family embraces ex-cons for holidays

Jon Meyermailto:Meyerjmeyer@idahopress.com

NAMPA — Since moving to Nampa four and a half years ago with their children, Tim and Karen Abbott said they’ve seen crime, even in their family-oriented neighborhood. But none of it has come from the ex-convict transition home two blocks away.

A car across the street was broken into with a baseball bat over drug money some time back. Then their children were sent home because of a possible hostage situation in a nearby home.

“And people are worried about this?” Karen said, questioning the call by other neighbors to oust the nearby New Hope Community Health facility.

In fact, neither Tim nor Karen said they know why people have been so adversarial about the prospect of the faith-based company setting up rehabilitation homes for the released convicts — even in their neighborhood.The couple entertained two residents of the Stonehedge Drive Staffed, Safe and Sober home on Thanksgiving and recently dropped off a plate of “Christmas goodies” at the home’s door.

“They’re good people,” Tim said.

Former Stonehedge house manager Adam Garcia has helped New Hope open five such sites, but he was still surprised by the efforts of the Abbotts to reach out to the men — especially with the outcry coming from other neighbors.

“It’s just a blessing,” Garcia said.

Initial apprehensions

The Abbotts weren’t always open to the idea of their new neighbors. In fact, when they were first told that sex offenders and murderers were being moved into the Maplewood subdivision, Karen said they were “very concerned” — until they found out it wasn’t true.

The couple went and introduced themselves to the men at the house.“They told us about their organization and gave us a copy of the house rules,” Karen said.

“We wanted to meet them before we made a judgment of whether or not they should live near us,” Tim continued.

New Hope Community Health officials say the firm does not accept applications from sex offenders or people with a history of violent crime.

Once the Abbotts knew of the intentions of New Hope, they didn’t fear for their safety or that of their five children — all under 16 years of age. In fact, most of their concerns are for the men in the halfway house, who’ve been “thrust into a situation they weren’t aware of,” put between angry neighbors and city government searching for a compromise, Tim said.

“I think it was a mistake for New Hope to put that house there without telling (the neighbors). Now anything that happens in the neighborhood, they’re going to get blamed,” Karen said.

“The finger’s already pointed, just waiting for something bad to happen,” Tim added.

A community divided

Just weeks after public meetings sought to shut down two transition homes in Canyon County, Adam Garcia and the residents of the new house he manages in Boise, on Aster Place, went caroling around the neighborhood. And despite many neighbors’ firm stance against the facilities in family-oriented areas, they were well received by nearly everyone.

“They were very responsive. They waved, came out and talked to us, it was a very warm night,” Garcia said. “Out of the more than 30 houses we went to, only maybe two didn’t open the door.”

Though Garcia said the changing response was refreshing, he thought the negative feelings also serve a purpose in helping the men see the scope of what their crimes do to people.

Garcia is currently on parole for grand theft. He came to New Hope when his diagnosis with Hepatitis B and liver cancer left him unemployed and moving toward homelessness.“(The men) see the impact of their crimes and people’s reaction ... Our crimes don’t only affect us, but the neighbors and the community,” he said.

New Hope administrator Larry Durkin, who also has a history of conviction, said he too was relieved to see residents warming up to the men. New Hope has opened 13 homes in the Treasure Valley since May and has plans for another in Caldwell. Only recently have the homes seen strong opposition, he has said.

“They’ve been great. People brought out cookies and stuff while they were caroling,” Durkin said. “It’s been a friendly relationship, a cordial relationship.”

The Abbott family plans to continue to spread the goodwill. Recently Karen went over to help the New Hope residents fix their wireless connection, just like a typical neighbor. Now she’d be happy if the other neighbors would just “calm down” about the issue.

“These people are going to be in the community anyway. Why should we be worried that they’re in a structured environment where we know where they are and that they’re getting help?”

Difficult decision: Losing independence

By Jon Meyer

Pam White faced a new and difficult decision when her mother could no longer care for herself.

Donna Scaggs, a 76-year-old former school teacher, doesn’t remember the day she was admitted to Nampa’s Trinity Mission Health and Rehab of Holly, debilitated by complications from multiple sclerosis and lung disease.

But White and her daughter, Autumn Short, recall the fateful day 14 months ago like it was yesterday.

“I think when I made the decision to move her in, she was very sick and I took her to the doctor, and the thing that was really different was we switched roles,” White said, turning to make eye contact with her mother. “In a way, Mom, I became the parent.”

It was not an easy transition, even for a Nampa city councilwoman who makes big decisions all the time.“I had to look at her and say, OK, now I’m gonna make the decisions. This is what we’re gonna do,” White explained. “It was followed by the difficulty of seeing her lose (her) independence. She would no longer be living alone, but in a skilled nursing facility.”

Autumn struggled watching her once strong and independent grandmother who needed care. Her children, Lexi, 6, and Kaiden, 8, were initially apprehensive about visiting their great-grandma at the nursing home.

“It was (difficult), but it has gotten easier. My kids were kind of timid to come in here ... They’d see some of the residents and it’s intimidating for them,” she said. “Now they run right down to the room, looking for ‘candy grandma.’”

Scaggs, the self-pronounced “bingo queen” of Trinity, always has a candy stash waiting for when Lexi and Kaiden come to visit and watch the rabbits that live in the courtyard outside her window.

‘There was an anger’

Scaggs admitted her trepidation about long-term care, which was backed up by White’s affirmation that “there was an anger” during the early days of her admission.“You were a little mad about not having your own kitchen,” White said, looking in her mother’s eyes. “I’m still kind of mad,” Scaggs answered jokingly. “I want my own coffee pot.”

Also among Scaggs’ early anxieties were that she had to wait for things that she formerly could do for herself immediately.“I don’t tell people ‘after awhile.’ (I) want it done now,” she said.But now she is happier with her surroundings.

She’s made friends, developed what her family calls a very active social life and has most everything she needs all in the same building.

“I think it’s the best place, the best thing that happened for myself. I have all that I need, everything’s right here. And all these people, we’re all alike. We all have everything we need,” Scaggs said. “It, it’s home. That’s what I tell them, ‘it’s your home.’”

Family transitions

While many families facing the move to nursing-level care confront an array of difficulties, Scaggs and her family knew they had chosen the right facility.“It was just seamless to make the transfer ... The process of getting her in here was very comfortable and non-invasive,” White said. She added that the same applied to the state agencies handling her mom’s health care coverage, who’ve been “just wonderful to work with.”

“I know she’s getting three balanced nutritious meals. I know she’s getting all her meds, the proper dose, at the right time. I know she’s not alone.”

Autumn’s concerns melted when she saw the professional care her grandmother was getting.“It’s almost worry free. You don’t worry about anything having her live here because you know her needs are taken care of,” she said.

The same comforts that helped the members of the family through the change are the same things that Donna feels are the benefits of her new caregivers.“You’re not alone,” she said. “There are people all around you.”

Looking to the future

Seeing Scaggs happy has made it infinitely easier for her daughter and granddaughter to take the future day-by-day in terms of her health.Pam visits frequently. Lexi and Kaiden run through the doors of Trinity ahead of Autumn now, talking to the residents and staff like they’re new-found playmates.

The home holds family holidays and summer cookouts, even welcoming Kaiden’s second grade class in to perform for residents earlier this year.

“It’s so bright, and the staff, the staff are wonderful,” Pam said looking to her mom. “They have a sense of humor. They play with you almost.”

When asked about how she plans to spend the future, Donna looked at her family with a contented look in her eyes and responded nonchalantly “I have no plans. (I’ll) just stay here ... If I have to be in a confined place, confined living or whatever you want to call it, I’m glad I’m here.”

Reflecting on her own experience, Scaggs offered comfort to people that she thought might be scared or hesitant about nursing homes and skilled nursing care.“Don’t be afraid of it,” she said. “It’s not bad.”

Ex-con homes show success for some

Jon Meyer
http://us.f571.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jmeyer@idahopress.com
Monday, November 12th, 2007

NAMPA— Jeff Enger had been in and out of the Idaho prison system for years — reoffending several times on drug charges — before he found the Omaha HOME, a former Caldwell transitional home for ex-inmates.

Now he has been clean for years and is working as a press operator and maintenance technician for the Idaho Press-Tribune.

At first the Omaha HOME, which stands for Healthy Outcome Mentoring Environment, was just another way to escape the confines of prison, Enger said, but it ended up that organizers Chris and Arlene Yamamoto changed his life for the better.

“They told (Chris) that I was just going to do the same things over again. He had a different vision,” Enger said. “My focus was to get through that gate ... it was my ticket out.”

The Yamamotos’ approach to helping the residents of the three-house, 16-bed program had an impact on Enger that spurred the desire for a change in his life.

“The change certainly has to come from within. Originally it was my contempt for the system,” Enger said. “A support system like the Yamamotos set up was instrumental, but in the end it was a personal decision.”

The issue of transitional homes for former inmates has made headlines in Canyon County because of their location. Operators say the programs work best in typical residential areas, but residents who live nearby object having them set up in single-family neighborhoods with children and schools.

But even opponents to specific homes agree that there is a need for this type of alternative for inmates transitioning back into regular society.

The focus of the Omaha HOME philosophy was rooted in emphasizing work, life skills and key points that former inmates need to re-enter society, Chris Yamamoto said.

“We really emphasized work and the work ethic. That’s difficult for some of these guys, especially the ones who’ve been incarcerated a long time. They’ve forgotten how to work,” Yamamoto said. “We tried to teach them fundamental things about being in society ... I think that was part of what made us successful, though it’s very difficult, was to try to roll as many things in to make these guys upstanding citizens.”

The Yamamotos operated Omaha HOME on Canyon Hill from August of 2006 to mid-2007 and brought a total of 24 people into the program. Five individuals violated their parole during that time, but Yamamoto said that they also had several success stories, including Jeff, whose parole ends in May.

“I’m really proud of Jeff,” Chris Yamamoto said. “In fact I consider him a friend of mine.”



Homes crucial for some inmates

Two lost leases and other unavoidable commitments forced the Omaha HOME to close.

Now that the home is closed, Yamamoto says it’s clear that such services are needed to help transitioning offenders avoid habits that have gotten them into trouble in the past.

“No. 1, these people have to go somewhere when they’re getting out of incarceration. They need somewhere to go,” Yamamoto said. “What happens is they usually end up going to the family and friends who helped them get in trouble in the first place.”

Instead of putting the men at the Omaha HOME in a position to reoffend, Yamamoto took the Idaho Department of Correction referrals and helped them get back on their feet. The program operated under Christian principles and did not accept sex offenders or violent offenders. Most of the residents, Yamamoto said, weren’t actually “bad people.”

“They made a few bad decisions, but they weren’t bad people,” he said.

Without transition houses, released inmates often have trouble getting back on their feet and end up doing things that land them back in prison. That is why the homes are needed, Enger and Yamamoto agreed, because simply building more prisons isn’t a practical solution.

“I came at this from a capitalistic approach,” Yamamoto said. “I’d rather spend money to help these people out then to pay to warehouse them in a prison.”

That’s exactly what he and his wife did too, until they couldn’t afford to hire the help they needed to keep the house running.

“From a taxpayer’s standpoint,” Enger said, “wouldn’t it be better for these people to support themselves?”



Treasure Valley homes improve lives

In recent weeks, a growing public outcry has developed to fight the placement of halfway houses in family neighborhoods.

However, Yamamoto said he is “really happy to see what is going on with transitional housing,” and added that if the homes are structured right with the right management, they “can be very successful.”

While many residents may fear having a program like the Omaha HOME put in their neighborhood, Yamamoto used the environment to improve the lives of his residents, teaching them to be good neighbors. The group would clean up after storms, rake leaves and do other odd jobs to help people in their surrounding community.

“(The) home was a very structured situation,” Yamamoto said. “What people don’t realize is there is a big difference between the people who are in a structured environment and those who are roaming free.”

As for Jeff, he’s been on his own since January and has no plans to return to the Mini-Cassia Criminal Justice Center that he left behind. He was one of the first people hand-picked for the Omaha HOME project and now is the last one living in one of the Yamamotos’ rental properties. The house he is renting was used to help residents after the Yamamotos deemed they were ready to leave the transitional home.

“I’m not different than anybody else,” Enger said. “I’ve got the same goals, (a) house, white-picket fence. Just because I’m a convicted felon doesn’t make it any different.”

Yamamoto is proud of his friend and has high hopes for his future, calling him a good human being and hard worker.

“That’s an absolute success story,” Yamamoto said. “He’s going to be just fine.”

Ex-con blog draws mixed feelings

COMMUNITY: Internet forum addresses public concerns, seeks fair solutions

By Jon Meyer
jmeyer@idahopress.com

BOISE— The topic of transitional home placement around the Treasure Valley entered the blogosphere Nov. 12, encouraging “creative solutions” from anyone with an Internet connection.

And a week after its appearance, the Blogger.com discussion was already rife with diverse opinions and ideas from concerned citizens and area legislators.

Before the conception of the “Idaho Housing for Released Prisoners” blog by Ray Tussing, the main forum for halfway house debate took the form of public meetings held in Nampa and Boise.

These meetings between concerned neighbors and house founders, like New Hope Community Health, protested placement of the homes in family neighborhoods, specifically without notifying residents.

New Hope has had issues raised by neighbors in the past about its practices of placing the facilities in neighborhoods without telling current residents. A similar organization, Supportive Housing and Innovative Partnerships, Inc., still maintains the “stealth” approach, said founder end Executive Director Melanie Curtis. However, New Hope changed its policy last week in favor of more transparency.

The problem with these forums and the media coverage that ensued, Tussing said, was the lack of reliable information that was easy to access for the public.

“These organizations and the IDOC need to work together with the community to come up with a fair and equitable solution,” Tussing said. “It might be tough, it might be hard, but I think it is possible to get people working together and focused on the problem.

New Hope changes policy

In an announcement on his blog last week, New Hope co-founder Dennis Mansfield announced a change in the company’s policy. He said that in the future they will notify appropriate city officials before the opening of a new halfway house, and encourage the city officials to notify affected neighborhood associations.

Ex-con crimes vary

At one New Hope home in Nampa on Stonehedge Drive, the former inmates living there have records that include a variety of crimes, including convictions for attempted grand theft/receiving stolen property; aggravated battery/property injury; robbery; and grand theft.
At another New Hope home, on Aster Place in Boise, convictions include four cases of controlled substance possession; two cases of burglary; and a case of possession of forged instruments/ bank notes.

SHIP opened a home for recovering substance abusers in Tussing’s neighborhood, in the Five Mile Road and Ustick area of Boise, about two years ago. Then, around June of this year, New Hope followed suit with a home of its own, Tussing said.

“What happened is when the second home came in, I got kind of concerned,” Tussing said. “You know, now you have no idea when a third one may come in, or a fourth.”

Boise mayor joins talks

When Tussing spearheaded the blog discussion, he invited several area dignitaries from around Boise and Idaho to weigh in on the issues. One of the first to respond by e-mail was Boise Mayor Dave Bieter. His response was promptly posted for public view.

Bieter wrote that because of federal protection applying to the homes, any regulatory action taken by local government “must be consistent with actions we would take regarding any singlefamily home.”

He also asked for patience from residents while the city’s legal department studied the issue, placing “the livability of our city and the safety of all its citizens” as a priority.

Home organizers sound off

Both New Hope and non-profit SHIP claim federal protection of their homes and policies by federal fair housing laws.

That is not to say that the organizers of the facilities are not willing to work for a solution with the public.

Curtis responded that she was “actually impressed” with the content of the blog and that she “liked the idea of working together to develop a creative solution.”

“I think anytime we work together on this issue is a good thing. These people need somewhere to go,” she said.

New Hope administrator Larry Durkin said he was thrilled about the new community dialogue and that “the whole idea of people sharing feelings ... with the idea of reaching new solutions is a good thing,” for everybody involved.

SHIP has provided work and housing services to willing addicts seeking recovery since August 2001. It operates nine “Clean and Sober” houses in the Boise area.

In a similar effort, New Hope utilizes 12 facilities around the Treasure Valley. The main difference is that while SHIP only accepts people with substance abuse issues, New Hope takes IDOC referrals for inmates leaving incarceration, rejecting only sex offenders and violent offenders from applying.

While Tussing raises issues with the policies surrounding the halfway house placement, he sees the need for the homes and does not seek to remove them from the community.

“I’m not the kind of person who takes an absolute stance against it,” he said. “I’m not comfortable, but I just don’t think the way it’s done is equitable.”
Find a link to the blog today at idahopress.com

Festival outdoes past years

By Jon Meyer jmeyer@idahopress.com


NAMPA — Over the past 16 years, the Canyon County Festival of Trees has raised more than $350,000 forMeals-on-Wheels programs in Nampa and Caldwell.

This year marked the most successful effort so far, with an estimated $30,000 raised through Tuesday night’s live and silent auctions combined, and more money left to be counted.

The standout of the live auction was the “Woodland Magic” tree, donated and decorated by Mountain West Bank, then bought back for $2,000 and re-auctioned for $2,200 to MVI Veterinary Supply of Meridian.

“We’re here to raise money for Meals-on-Wheels,” Nampa’s Mountain West Branch 12 Manager Angie Hagler said at Tuesday’s Gala. “We talked about it and knew we’d have people bid against us, so we figured why not (buy it back and re-auction it). We’re all here to raise money.”

Festival of Trees officials were blown away by the money raised and the sentiment shown.

“To have a tree raise over $4,000, is just amazing. We’ve never had that before,” board of directors member Melissa Howard said.

The sentiment went even deeper for some as a tree decorated by the Pfeifer family, in honor of injured soldier and relative Chad Pfeifer, was auctioned for $1,000.

Marilyn Bauman of Caldwell — with tears welling up in her eyes — said that she knew she had to bid on the tree, titled “How Can I ThankYou,”becauseherson“came back from Iraq in one piece.”

Chad Pfeifer was injured in Iraq in April and his picture stood next to the tree for the duration of the festival.

“We have a lot of admiration for the people who have gone over there,” Marilyn’s husband, Jerry Bauman, a retired physician who met Chad through the Rotary Club, said. “We wish the best for that young man.”

The Bauman’s intend to give the tree to the VA Hospital in Boise to go on display, they said.

“(The festival) just helps so many people, so many seniors,” said Mickey Sutton, who helped decorate and donate “When I Grow Up I Want to Be A Fireman.” “I’m a nurse at St. (Alphonsus Regional Medical Center) so I see people all the time who need this type of help.”

The firefighter tree, which also saw decorators of the Nampa Fire Department and local unions chip in, auctioned for $1,200.

Firefighters: An on-duty Thanksgiving

COMMUNITY: Emergency responders juggle public safety duties, time with loved ones
By Jon Meyer jmeyer@idahopress.com


NAMPA — Having to work a Thanksgiving shift didn’t phase the 19 firefighters on duty at Nampa Station 1 this year.

In fact, they threw a feast and reunion with all their families that might rival what many people see in their homes during the holidays.

“I think my kids might like Thanksgiving at the firehouse more than at home anyway,” 10-year firefighting veteran Kirk Carpenter said with a laugh.

It’s not difficult to see why. A local motorcycle group helped out by dropping off some Thanksgiving goodies. Each family brought a little something to help fill a long table with holiday fare. The firehouse has a big-screen television, soft recliners and a recreational room with more than enough stuff to keep the kids busy.

“We try to get some of the families in here each year so they can get a chance to see Mom or Dad,” Battalion Chief Larry Richardson said.

All the fun can flip with one emergency call though, sending the men and women out on a call and away from those they love.

They try not to let that dampen their spirits, though.

“In some ways it’s nice, but it’s hard when he gets a call in the middle of dinner,” Kirk’s wife, Nicole Carpenter said. “(I) pretty much know he’s going to be gone at some time.

“But hey, I don’t have to clean or cook,” she joked.

The families, like the Carpenters and their five children, get accustomed to the fact that the fire station keeps a full staff every day, even holidays, Richardson said.

“They’re all used to it. They know our calendars. If that’s when you’re scheduled to work, you work,” Richardson said. “Families learn to expect it.”

Before they started eating, some of the crews had already been out on some calls for car accidents and a fire alarm Thanksgiving morning, a quick reminder of the fact that they’re still on duty.

“Sometimes we get a grease fire from someone’s deep-fried turkey ... Sometimes we get depression-related calls. They stretch from about now to Christmas,” Richardson said. “Suicide attempts, or an elderly person will forget to take their (medication), just get depressed and forget.”

The holidays aren’t the only times families feel the crunch of a firefighter’s demanding schedule. Nick Adams was enjoying a day of watching football at the station while his family had Thanksgiving dinner elsewhere, making it tough, but not anything out of the ordinary.

“I’ve got used to it — birthdays, holidays working. You’ll be off the day before or the day after, so it doesn’t interfere too much, Adams said. “I was a firefighter when I had kids, so this is all they know. They love these things. It’s kind of reunion-like for them as well ... We try to relax.”

Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, a firefighter’s schedule is demanding and taxing on family life, which is part of the reason that gatherings on the holidays are something they try to do on a regular basis, Chief Richardson said.

“We spend a lot of days away from home; one third of our life is here,” Richardson said. “It is hard on family life. Anything that happens at home, your wife needs help at home ... It’s tough.”