< Previous20 • Allegheny West Magazine • Spring 2020 Elementary counseling update: SNAP For the 2019 -2020 school year, Cornell Elementary School is fortunate to continue its partnership with Holy Family Institute’s SNAP (Stop Now And Plan) Program. The organization provides behavioral health services to students and families in the school community. SNAP, an evidence-based, award- winning program, is designed to help students and families learn problem- solving skills and strategies in order to manage their emotions. SNAP program instructors facilitate curriculum-based, interactive classroom activities that teach students how to make good decisions when confronted with a conflict. The key to teaching these skills is first helping students identify their emotions. They then must learn to control how they express and act on those emotions. In addition to classroom lessons, SNAP instructors also provide small breakout sessions with students to reinforce strategies taught in the classroom. Cornell families and students also have the opportunity to participate in the community-based SNAP Core Program at no cost. The program allows parents and caregivers to meet weekly to learn effective parenting techniques and it gives them the opportunity to connect with other parents who may face similar challenges. During this time, children meet in a therapeutic group led by enthusiastic staff members who facilitate interactive activities that teach behavioral strategies and appropriate boundaries. SNAP and its highly skilled staff continue to provide Cornell Elementary with comprehensive services that teach students how to be socially responsible by exercising good choices when experiencing strong emotions. The district is hopeful this partnership continues in the years to come. Kindergarten Registration Information Tis’ the season to round up the Cornell School District’s future students. Beginning Feb. 10, parents and guardians can stop at the Cornell Elementary office to pick up their kindergarten registration packet. While there, parents should make an appointment with Cornell Elementary secretary and school registrar, Edie Shoecraft, on one of the dates listed below to hand in their completed packet. Tuesday, March 10, 2020 10-11 AM and 1-2 PM Tuesday, March 10, 2020 4:30-6 PM Wednesday, March 11, 2020 10-11 AM and 1-2 PM Wednesday, March 11, 2020 4:30-6 PM Thursday, March 12, 2020 10-11 AM and 1-2 PM A complete registration packet includes: • (2) Proofs of Residency (examples below) • Rental/Lease Agreement, Tax Statement, Mortgage Document, Driver’s License and/ or Current Utility Bills – electric, gas, (cell phone bills cannot be accepted). * All addresses will be verified through the local tax offices of Coraopolis and Neville Island. • Birth Certificate • All students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2020. • Kindergarten Registration Form • Home Language Survey • Parent Questionnaire • Updated Immunization record * Children without immunization records will not be registered • Universal Blood Level Testing Each child’s K assessment will be scheduled in May and parents will be mailed a letter after their completed packet is submitted. Parents will have the option to call the office and choose from the selected days and times in May. Assessments are typically done two to three days in a row around the middle of May. The assessments are done to determine each child’s academic level and help the teacher determine a starting point for their classes. Any questions should be directed to Mrs. Shoecraft at (412) 264-5010 Ext. 141.Spring 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 21 One of the most valuable programs that the Moon Township Rotary Club organizes is its Dictionary Project. The goal of the program is to help all third grade students complete the school year as good writers, active readers and creative thinkers by providing them with their own personal dictionaries. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come. Each school year, Moon Rotarians visit Cornell and Moon Area elementary schools to present students with their own personal copies of the books and to stress the importance of the books. The idea for The Dictionary Project began in 1992, when Annie Plummer of Savannah, Georgia, gave 50 dictionaries to children who attended schools close to her home. Each year, the program grew and, during her lifetime, she raised enough money to buy 17,000 dictionaries for children in Savannah. The original goal of the project was to fund all of the schools in South Carolina. That goal was achieved in 1999 and The Dictionary Project eventually became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. After The Wall Street Journal published a story about the project in 2002, The Dictionary Project took on a national purpose and expanded its mission to include students in all 50 states. Many individuals, businesses and civic organizations all over the country have implemented The Dictionary Project where they live. To date, 33,002,305 children have received a dictionary and 1,308,504 dictionaries have been donated this year. Dictionary projects have been taken on by over 10,334 organizations. On Mondays after school, girls in grades three through five have an opportunity to participate in the Strong Women Strong Girls program at Cornell Elementary School. In collaboration with Robert Morris University, Strong Women Strong Girls and Cornell School District, the program utilizes a research-based, skill-building curriculum to promote positive development for third through fifth grade girls. The curriculum provides exposure to career and educational opportunities, women’s history and experiential learning while encouraging civic engagement. The program is intended to enhance the curricula at public schools and encourage female students to become leaders in society. Each week during the school year, girls in SWSG attend a 90-minute mentoring session where they connect with other girls from their school and a group of college women mentors. These sessions use a robust, role model-based curriculum anchored in the stories of strong women from history and today. The girls also have an opportunity to attend at least one Campus Discovery Tour with their mentors. For girls in the program, this is oftentimes their first time being on a college campus and learning about their academic options for the future. These experiences connect girls to everything that college has to offer, from academic opportunities to extra-curricular groups to dining halls. Girls have additional field trip opportunities throughout the year, including trips to local institutions and an annual “Jump into Spring” celebration of mentorship. They will also complete an annual service project with their mentors. Past service projects have included initiatives such as school-wide anti-bullying campaigns and supply drives for children’s hospitals. Through these projects, girls learn they can make a positive difference in their community, no matter their age. “I like Strong Women Strong Girls because we have fun and get to do all types of projects with my friends,” says fourth-grader Samantha Melius. Moon Township Rotary distributes dictionaries to third grade Strong Women Strong Girls at Cornell Students at Robert Morris University meet with students from Cornell for the Strong Women Strong Girls mentoring program. ABOVE: Ray and Joyce Lemaster (center) from the Moon Township Rotary delivered dictionaries to third-graders and the teaching team of Robin Friess (far left), Casey Thomas (second from right) and Heidi Anderson (far right). RIGHT: Elementary principal Jeffrey Carter gets a picture with the Lemasters.22 • Allegheny West Magazine • Spring 2020 For the past few school years, Cornell Elementary has made a concerted effort to connect with its youngest students’ parents. Every month, the kindergarten teaching team of Tracey Ray, Lindsay McKee and Jackie Delgreco host a brunch for kindergarten parents to review the current and upcoming learning goals of 5 and 6 year olds. Invitations are sent out before each meeting to get a headcount and then Cornell food service director Chris Hopkins creates a buffet-style brunch for attendees. During the meal, kindergarten teachers hand-deliver a packet to each family member in attendance containing all materials that will be discussed. Each month, teachers share upcoming concepts and skills that will be targeted in their classrooms and go over some strategies that parents can use at home to reinforce what is being taught at school. The monthly meetings usually last about an hour and the connections and discussions that happen have been invaluable. These monthly kindergarten meetings will continue for the foreseeable future. Parents have said the brunches are a great way to get to know the teachers. They’ve also said that the meetings help them gain an understanding of what is occurring in the classroom and learn what they can do to help at home. Dates for future meetings are shared each month and future kindergarten parents can look forward to these continuing! The Cornell School District has been offering swim lessons to students and community members for some time now. Lessons are usually held in the evening hours or during the summer during special programming. Not all students, however, have been able to participate. Some students either have been unable to return to school in the evening or to enroll in summer programming when the lessons were offered. As a result, Cornell administrators have been trying to arrange for swim lessons to be offered at Cornell Elementary during the school day for a number of years. Thanks to the Sewickley YMCA, that is now happening. During discussions with YMCA staff, it was recommended that third grade was the most appropriate grade in which to offer swim lessons. In January, all Cornell Elementary third-graders began an eight- week swimming lesson course taught by two YMCA instructors. The classes take place in the afternoon hours, during the school day. “The skill of swimming is so important to learn from an early age, and with our community being so close to a body of water I always felt it was important for our students to learn the basics of swimming,” said Cornell superintendent, Dr. Aaron Thomas. “This is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.” The reaction from Cornell Elementary students has been more than energetic and students have been outstanding during the lessons. Many students didn’t know how to swim and have been fearless since the start. The swim lesson program is something that administrators hope to make a staple at Cornell Elementary in the years to come. A special thanks goes out to the YMCA and Cornell Elementary third grade teachers Casey Thomas and Robin Freiss for coordinating efforts. Cornell Elementary has joined the #bethekindkid movement! This movement started out at the Avonworth School District and now spans the country, with 18 schools participating in the Pittsburgh area, one in California, one in Indiana, one in Oregon and one in Tennessee . The simple yet powerful idea behind the movement can be incorporated into any school-wide behavior program as a reminder to kids. Whether teaching children the Golden Rule or emphasizing ways to be nice, #bethekindkid fits into any anti-bully or positive behavior program. It can also be the motto for any student, young or old. Thanks to generous support from the Williams Company and United Way, every Cornell Elementary student received a free #bethekindkid t-shirt. The shirts can be worn on school-wide spirit days, field trips and even during classroom or grade-level special events. When the shirts are worn, the message is bold, strong and positive! Kindergarten brunches Kindergarten teachers Tracey Ray, Lindsay McKee and Jackie Delgreco host a brunch for kindergarten parents each year. Cornell elementary students show off their #bethekindkid t-shirts that they received thanks to the United Way and Williams Company. Elementary students get swim lessons #bethekindkidSpring 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 23 It only took four short years for head football coach Ed Dawson to lead the Cornell Raiders to a conference championship and a WPIAL semi-final game after bringing football back to its home turf. This 2019 season was one to be remembered, not only for all of Raider Nation but also for Dawson, who was recognized as the Pittsburgh Steelers Youth Football Coach of the Week during week eight of the NFL season. Dawson was also chosen as the Times Football Coach of the Year. Dawson was successful not only on the field but also off it as he provided Cornell students with a tremendous amount of support and mentorship. To cap off the season, the NFL approached district administration with an offer to present Dawson with two tickets to this year’s Super Bowl in Miami, Florida. This was something that the entire district could get behind and support. The NFL and Pittsburgh Steelers were also able to arrange a visit from starting cornerback Joe Haden to surprise Dawson with the tickets. Haden recognized Dawson for all of his hard work and dedication, not only to the football program, but also to Cornell School District. Head football coach Ed Dawson received Super Bowl tickets from the NFL earlier this year. Dawson celebrated with the Cornell Raiders football squad (above) after the tickets were delivered by Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (pictured with Dawson below and at right). Karen Murphy - President Robert Dinell - Vice President Stephanie Mazzocco - Treasurer Darlene Abbott Mark Cavicchia Cornell School District 1099 Maple Street Coraopolis, PA 15108 www.cornellsd.org Dr. Aaron Thomas Superintendent athomas@cornellsd.org (412) 264-5010, ext. 120 Dr. Doug Szokoly High School Principal dszokoly@cornellsd.org (412) 264-5010, ext. 104 Jeffrey Carter Elementary School Principal jcarter@cornellsd.org, (412) 264-5010, ext. 241 Carla Antoniades Director of Pupil Services cantoniades@cornellsd.org Kris Hupp Director of Technology & Instructional Innovation khupp@cornellsd.org Patrick Berdine Business Manager Cornell School District Board of Directors Michael Griffith Michael Engel Caryn Code Linda Solecki *Patrick Berdine - Secretary *Trish Andrews - Solicitor - non-board member* Visit www.cornellsd.org for the latest district news. #WeAre Cornell Coach Dawson gets Super Bowl ticketsGRAND TETONS When we traveled through Jackson Hole years ago, we were fascinated by beautiful Jenny Lake, a two- mile long by 250-foot deep body of water - a photographer’s delight. Did you know that the Tetons have 12 peaks that tower above 12,000 feet? Or that the mountains support a dozen glaciers? While staying over in the cowboy town of Jackson Hole, the day will afford time to explore the Grand Tetons on your own. Besides day trips that Collette will offer for water fun on either Jenny Lake or the Snake River, a 42-mile drive is a terrific way to feel the magnificence of the mountains and enjoy the numerous scenic turnouts. Teton Park Road winds around the base of the Teton Range. During the drive, experience the Snake River Overlook, the Menors Ferry Historic District, and views of Jenny Lake. Wildlife abounds, so you’ll most likely spot some elk, moose, bison and maybe even a bear or two. This is a hiker’s paradise if you’re up for adventure. Try the Taggart Lake Trail, a three-mile round-trip hike that will reward you with a view of the lake, surrounding meadows and conifer groves. The elevation is just 400 feet. Take time before any of the day’s adventures to stop at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor’s Center to pick up maps and information. While there, enjoy the floor to ceiling windows that look out on the impressive mountains and enjoy an excellent documentary film on the park. The Grand Tetons are reflected in Jenny Lake. National Parks of America Tour with Pat Jennette Five Parks in the American West Aug. 8-20, 2020 Save $200 per person when booking by March 5 with Allegheny West Magazine For more Information and to book: gateway.gocollette.com/link/985315 or travel@awmagazine.com Editor’s Note: Allegheny West Magazine is teaming up with Collette Vacations to offer a unique opportunity to readers. Next August, Collette will be leading a trip to some of the country’s premier national parks out west with this magazine’s publisher emeritus, Pat Jennette. Now a seasoned traveler, Pat has made it her mission since she retired in 2013 to visit all of the country’s national parks. In our last edition, Pat wrote about the second leg of the trip. This column picks up where the second left off: If you’ve been reading this article series, you already know that Allegheny West Magazine has partnered with Collette to offer an amazing 12-day tour of the national parks of the West next August. This is the third and final article showcasing this National Parks Tour. The tour is starting to fill! If you’ve ever thought about taking a trip completely planned out by someone else - with airfare, transportation, lodging, meals and more included - to some of our most popular national parks, this is an incredible opportunity! The tour starts Aug. 8 in Scottsdale, Arizona and ends Aug. 20 in Rapid City, South Dakota. The entire tour includes Scottsdale, Sedona, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Salt Lake City and more. For more information, visit gateway.gocollette.com/ link/985315 or send an email to travel@awmagazine.com. Through March 5, travelers can save $200 per person when booking with Allegheny West Magazine. This article will give you an insight into more of our country’s beautiful national parks that are part of this tour. 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • Spring 2020Mount Rushmore is one of the final stops on the trip. YELLOWSTONE This park is a MUST SEE. It’s known as one of the “big daddies” of the National Park Service. Our visit to Yellowstone was in the month of June many years ago. We spent two days here, experienced a very cold overnight stay that forced us to sleep in our van, and saw Old Faithful in its heightened glory. Being on a tour, the experience this time will be much more comfortable due to the tour bus and hotel accommodations! Yellowstone has fascinated visitors ever since it was deemed a national park in 1872. Today, nearly 150 years later, its thermal pools, geysers, mud pots, hot springs and wildlife draw visitors from around the world. Yellowstone is a geologic wonder and changes from season to season. At last record, there were more than 10,000 geothermal features in the park, of which 500 are geysers. The most famous one, Old Faithful, averages 130 feet high, lasts for up to five minutes, and spouts on a regular schedule - hence why it’s called “Old Faithful.” Boardwalks throughout the park’s geothermic areas allow visitors to get a closer view of these bubbling water features. The tour will exit the park on its east side as we head to Cody, stopping at the Buffalo Bill Center before going on to Sheridan for the evening. On this leg, the spectacular Yellowstone Lake provides eye candy and a terrific opportunity for photographers. MOUNT RUSHMORE AND CRAZY HORSE This day is a two-for-one opportunity to view iconic landmarks that pay tribute to the importance of both Native Americans and our nation’s early progress. Dedicated to the Native Americans of this great land, the Crazy Horse monument has been a work in progress for decades. Carved using private funds, it represents the image of Tasuke Witco, leader of the Oglala Lakota Indians, who fought for and defended the Lakota people until his demise. The carving’s completion isn’t expected any time soon. Begun seven decades ago, and drawing more than one million visitors annually, the monument is a dedication to perseverance and persistence. While here, visitors can explore the Native American Cultural Center and hear Native Americans discuss the movements of their dances and the significance of wearing different feathers and clothes. One of our country’s most famous landmarks - Mount Rushmore - will give us an up-close opportunity to see the massive carvings of four presidents. When we visited this monument, we were entertained with a fabulous evening presentation of patriotic music and lights as we sat in the bleachers looking up at the monument. Walk the Avenue of the Flags as you approach the monument and the short Presidential Trail to see the monument up close. Visit the Sculptor’s Studio and enjoy the surrounding Black Hills of South Dakota that encompass the monument area. Do you know who the four presidents are on the monument? They’re George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Why these presidents, you may ask? The monument is dedicated to the first 150 years of America’s history and the four presidents who were known to be the most significant to the country’s progress during that era. The tour will end this evening with a farewell dinner and a special presentation by a local Lakota Native American. We’ll depart the next morning from Rapid City for home. As one who has visited all but two of the spectacular stops on this tour, I can highly recommend this trip! It’s a way to see so much of our nation’s beauty in such a well-planned timeframe. Join us Jan. 14 to learn more! Pat Jennette is the founder and now publisher emeritus of Allegheny West Magazine. A former North Fayette Township resident, she and her husband became full-time RVers upon retiring with the goal to visit every national park. They are members/supporters of the National Park Foundation, National Parks Travelers Club, and the National Parks Conservation Association. Pat has presented programs on the national parks at local libraries and at RV parks around the U.S. Their goal is to visit all 61 national parks, which are part of the 419 total national park sites that cover all 50 states as well as American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These include national monuments, seashores, historic sites and others. During our stop in Yellowstone to see Old Faithful, you’ll also be able to see the Grand Prismatic Spring. Mammoth Hot Springs Hill is yet another geothermic feature in Yellowstone. Spring 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 25I t’s a well-known fact that the senior population in the U.S. will continue to grow over the next two decades, as baby boomers age and live longer than previous generations. According to the PEW Research Center, each day 10,000 people in the U.S. turn 65, which is creating greater demand not only for health services but also care facilities, in-home aides and other related services. A Fox Business projection for the coming decade estimates that industries related to senior care will comprise one of the three biggest emerging markets in the nation’s economy. Many family members, too, are feeling the pressure as the responsibilities associated with The challenges of being a caregiver caring for their aging loved ones falls to them. In so doing, these caregivers are finding themselves confronting a myriad of delicate and difficult legal, financial and personal issues as they try to determine what is best not only for their loved ones, but also for themselves. Such became the case for Findlay Township resident Patti Opacic after her father passed away in early 2019, which left her mother living alone in her Whitehall home where Opacic was raised. Up to that point, Opacic’s parents had managed to remain independent solely because of their reliance on each other and the close proximity of several relatives who checked in when Opacic couldn’t be there. Following her father’s death, Opacic wasn’t sure if her mother was capable of independence in the home. Opacic also knew that her mother didn’t want to live alone. Thus began an eight-month journey for Opacic of exploring various scenarios of care for her mother, which ultimately resulted in the sale of their family’s Whitehall home and renovations to Opacic and her husband, Rade’s, Westbury residence to accommodate her mother’s needs. Opacic’s situation is not unique. Recent statistics from AARP state that there are 43.5 million unpaid, untrained caregivers providing support for loved ones in the U.S., with 21.6 million of these caregivers also holding jobs. An additional AARP statistic reports that 84 percent of caregivers need more information and assistance. The trend is also impacting U.S. companies, which reportedly lose $38.2 billion annually due to employee caregiving responsibilities. Statistics reveal that 92 percent of employed caregivers - most often women - have their employment hours or structure impacted. Seventy-nine percent of caregivers working full- or part- time have missed work in the past 12 months to attend to their care recipient’s needs. The Pittsburgh region represents just a fraction of these numbers, yet the area has a particularly high senior population. A 2016 Forbes Magazine report named Pittsburgh the second highest metropolitan area in the country for seniors, behind only the Tampa-St. Petersburg region of Florida. A significant 18.3 percent of Pittsburgh’s residents are over the age of 65, a number 26 percent higher than the national average. Further complicating matters are Pittsburgh’s older residences, which are often not suited to the changing needs of an aging body. Many of the homes in which seniors continue living, either by choice or because they can’t afford other options, contain steep staircases, bathrooms on the upstairs level and laundry equipment in the basement. Children of failing elderly parents thus often spend more time at these residences assisting with daily tasks, personal care and, in many cases, medical needs for which they have received no training. A 2016 University of Pittsburgh study called “Addressing the Needs of Caregivers at Risk” cited the current situation for caregivers as “unsustainable.” According to Cyndy Glynn, business development director for the Moon Township-based nonprofit Hope Grows, many caregivers get overwhelmed and exhausted to the point that they forget to care for themselves. They often feel alone, forgotten and stressed. Through Hope Grows, caregivers can receive mental health support, resources and counseling. Its clients can get monthly “check-in” phone calls, schedule face-to-face visits, or join small support groups. They can also visit its gardens for some relaxation time. Last year, the organization assisted 418 caregivers, up from 369 the previous year. The number of counseling and support hours in that period increased from 496 to 670. The nonprofit was founded in 2013 by Lisa Story, a professional counselor and certified thanatologist, which is one who studies the mechanisms of dealing with death and dying. She started running the organization out of her Shafer Road residence, where she lives with her husband, Charles. The couple was recently approved by the township to transition their residence into the Iris Respite House bed and breakfast for caregivers, to be operated by Hope Grows. As the senior population grows, caregivers face the challenges and consider what services are best STORY BY JILL BORDO PHOTOS BY DOUG HUGHEY Patti Opacic is pictured here with her mother, Draga Bartos, in their Findlay Township home. 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • Spring 2020{ Legal considerations Aside from the strain on their personal lives, caregivers and their family members can also face complex legal issues with potentially major financial consequences. In Opacic’s case, she worked with the elder care law firm Julian Gray Associates in Greentree (see more information about them on the next page) to deal with issues she says she could have never worked out herself. Jennifer Rose, CELA, an attorney with Julian Gray Associates, uses the word “tricky” to describe the components of transitioning a senior’s assets and finances to set up late-life housing and care. Rose says that it is critical for families to establish a plan for aging sooner than later so as to take full advantage of programs such as Medicaid and the Veterans Administration. “The earlier you plan, the more options you have,” she stated. One of the biggest challenges to family caregivers, said Rose, is unawareness of the fact that they can legally receive a reoccurring income from government sources for providing care. Another example of advance planning is the transfer of a family home to an adult child who has moved in to care for a parent. A specific legal process done at least two years prior to a parent moving into a facility or passing away can prohibit state recovery of the home. According to Michele Conti, an elder law attorney who heads Conti Law in Moon Township, another legal issue that can affect families of those suffering from dementia or another mentally declining state is power of attorney. If a court declares that individual to be incapacitated, and they do not have a power of attorney, their assets can essentially become frozen. At that point, neither they, their child nor even their spouse can access those assets. The financial burden of everything from in-home care to basic necessities can then fall entirely on the caregiver. Obtaining guardianship at that point can take months and cost thousands of dollars. Conti said that’s why she suggests families consult with an attorney to determine power of attorney well before such a situation arises. “All too often people neglect the power of attorney and go straight to the will,” said Conti. “We have legal parameters from the state about who gets everything when they pass, but the same isn’t true for power of attorney.” She also cautioned being aware if a loved one is pitching in for rent, as the government can consider those payments gifts, which can in turn affect their Medicare assistance if they do decide to move into an assisted living facility. Continued next page Helpful Tips for Caregivers: 1) Stay organized and have a system for tracking care details. Keep a notebook or Online journal of the care recipient’s health issues, medications and test results. More importantly, if multiple people are acting as caregivers, have a centrally located daily log for updates by anyone visiting. You may think you’ll remember to share information, but don’t take a chance. Write it down. 2) Prevent falls through easy and inexpensive measures such as removing throw rugs, keeping floor paths free of books, cords and other objects, and maintaining good lighting, especially in stairwells. 3) Invest in equipment or technology that gives a care recipient more independence and makes your job easier. From grab bars in the bathroom to electric chair lifts, the right equipment can be life-altering for everyone. Research other ways to simplify care such as pre-sorted daily medicine packets, which are provided by many pharmacies. 4) Accept help from family and friends when they offer it. Remember: if your health suffers or you become injured, your care recipient will also suffer. 5) Use Online tools. Many websites provide videos on everything from dressing wounds of care recipients to relaxation techniques for caregivers. The AARP Caregiver Resource Center is one good option (www. aarp.org/nolongeralone). The Pennsylvania Homecare Association offers helpful videos (learningcenter.pahomecare.org) as well as a free magazine called Secrets No One Told You About Family Caregiving. Spring 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 27{ Staying in the home One resource that is growing in popularity among caregivers abiding by a parent’s wishes to age at home are in-home care agencies. Typically, aides from these agencies help with things such as bathing, dressing and assisting with household tasks such as meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry. Hankey Farms resident Lillian Valla used one such agency, Renaissance Home Care in Imperial, for several years to keep her 94-year-old mother, Lillian O’Hara, in her Oakdale home. A Renaissance aide would visit O’Hara three times a week to assist her with personal care and cleaning, though O’Hara was still able to do her own laundry in the basement due to a chair lift. As her mother’s health declined, Valla increased the Renaissance visits to a daily basis. After an evening fall by her mother, however, Valla made the decision to move her to a facility. Valla found O’Hara, whose off-the-hook phone prohibited a call to Life Alert, on the floor when she visited the next morning. Oftentimes, a medical condition is what prompts a family to begin reconsidering an aging loved one’s living situation. Mary Jo Dietrich, a registered nurse who runs At-Home Senior Services in Coraopolis with her husband, David, says that many families enlist their services as their loved ones are about to be discharged from a rehabilitation center following a hospital stay. Oftentimes, these loved ones have suffered a stroke or injury that requires caregivers to take on a new medical role that they may not be comfortable fulfilling themselves. Mary Jo says that, in the rush to get their loved ones home, families oftentimes don’t fully realize the full extent of what is now involved until the last minute. She and her husband have come to know it as the “deer in the headlights” moment. “It’s so fast,” says Mary Jo about the process. “During the discharge to home, depending on what needs to be taught, the family says ‘Yes yes yes’ because we’re so excited to get them home. Then they get home and they freeze because they don’t know what to do.” She recommends that families have an emergency plan in place ahead of time and consider contacting an at-home agency on the first day that their loved one is admitted to the hospital. From there, the agency can work with the family to track their loved one’s progress and determine whether the family needs an at- home aide or should consider assisted living. If a resident nurse is training family members on medical tasks, she says at-home aides can take on those responsibilities. She also says, though, that once the need exceeds 10 hours per day, families should consider the economics and whether assisted living makes more sense. For those looking ahead, she suggests purchasing long-term care insurance by age 60, and looking at whether the insurance carries a homemaking portion that can cover at-home care. Given the familiar surroundings coupled with the higher cost of assisted living, many more seniors prefer the option to stay in their homes as long as possible, says Mary Jo. As for caregivers, Mary Jo says many call them as a last resort and view doing so as an admission of defeat, even though having the added assistance can help a caregiver get back to work or continue on with their lives outside of caregiving. She recommends families consider all possibilities when making decisions regarding their aging loved one. “Sometimes it’s just about knowing what you can do,” she says. { New trends in assisted living As more seniors age and are looking at transitioning into assisted living, companies and developers are embracing new concepts to meet varied needs, interests and means. In recent years, a number of expansive senior complexes have opened in the area that encompass everything from independent homes to assisted living hi-rises to memory care units. One of those communities, Tapestry Senior Living, is housed in the former Embassy Suites Hotel on Cherrington Parkway in Moon Township. The community offers secure senior care in a uniquely designed setting. Past visitors to the hotel would likely remember its large atrium with a garden and water feature flowing through its center. In all, Tapestry has 112 assisted living apartments, 93 memory care apartments and 19 enhanced senior living apartments. According to business development manager John Sciulli, Tapestry’s staff members are trained in a “Positive Approach to Care” cognitive technique developed by world-renowned therapist Teepa Snow. The community isn’t lacking in amenities, either. It has four varied dining options ranging from fine cuisine to a coffee shop on the main level. It also has a full-service salon and theater. As well, Tapestry utilizes a state-of-the-art SilverSphere Safety Alert Monitoring system with motion sensors in each room that can alert staff to falls and night roaming. According to Sciulli, Tapestry is an industry leader in response time for alarms, with an expected five-minute turnaround for safety checks and even bed changes. Incontinence sensors trigger an alert at the nurses’ station. 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • Spring 2020 To further connect with the area, Tapestry executives have offered its community to Moon Township Parks and Recreation’s Senior Connection recreation program. The 55-plus social group had reached more than 430 members and outgrown the space it was using at the Carriage House at Robin Hill Park. Now, seniors in the group meet in a 2,000 square- foot converted ballroom that’s been outfitted specially for the group. Tapestry even erected a dedicated covered entryway specifically for Moon Connection members and a front desk inside the ballroom. During Senior Connection, members can enjoy games, activities, art classes, a lending library and more, Monday through Friday. Tapestry CEO Christopher Blum stated that the collaboration fosters a link between Tapestry and the greater community. “We love the idea that we’ve helped design something for the Senior Connection to continue to grow for years to come,” he said. Continued next page LEFT: The former Embassy Suites Hotel in Moon Township is now Tapestry Senior Living, an assisted living community with 112 assisted living apartments, 93 memory care apartments, 19 enhanced senior living apartments, a theater and more. BELOW LEFT: Tapestry has turned one of the hotel’s former ballrooms into the official meeting place for Moon Township Parks and Recreation’s Senior Connection program. Here, Beverly Gross, Helen Barcaskey, Jon Barcaskey and Janet Heidet wrap up a game of mahjong. { Spring 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 29Next >