A knock on the door of the compact, tidy garden apartment triggers the insistent barking of a dog. When the door opens, JoJo the small white shih tzu/chihuahua mix serves as greeter, along with Don, 85, one of the human residents of the apartment.
It’s more difficult for Ann – the other human resident – to get to the door, as breathing can be a challenge due to her COPD. As a result, Ann, 66, is resting on the couch, tethered to her oxygen machine. Regardless, she gives a warm smile as she describes how the Bulter County Elderly Services Program (ESP) has helped her and Don remain independent.
The former spouses – who between them have five children – began to share the apartment about five years ago to support each other and to save rent money. “We’ve always been friends because of our kids and were each paying around $700 for our own places so it made sense,” Ann said. When you’re living on a fixed income, every bit of savings counts.
Ann left the workforce early when her COPD was diagnosed in 2015 because it would have been unsafe to use an oxygen tank in her position as a quality engineer in the aerospace industry. Don worked as a painting contractor well into his 70s before hanging up his paintbrush.
Don also has COPD, but it’s not quite as debilitating as Ann’s. Regardless, there are many things to do around the apartment that require the strength and stamina he no longer has.
Don and Ann agree that perhaps the most helpful service they receive through ESP is assistance from their home health aide, Tina, who they hired directly though the consumer-directed care option offered by ESP. Consumer-directed care allows clients to become “employers” and hire their own “employees” instead of using a home care agency to provide certain services.
“We love, love, love her,” said Ann about Tina, who assists with laundry, vacuuming and other chores around the apartment, and is also permitted to run errands and drive Ann and Don to medical appointments when needed. In addition to the assistance provided by Tina, the duo receives home-delivered meals and transportation services, and in the past have received durable medical equipment for safety in the bathroom.
Ann saves her biggest raves for her ESP care manager, Monica, who she also “love, love, loves.” As their ESP care manager, Monica is tasked with ensuring Don and Ann have the services they need in the amounts they need at any given time.
She also goes the extra mile for them, according to Ann. “Monica takes the time to sit and talk to me and understand my requirements, what I need. She listens to me, makes suggestions if I don’t know something. We’re having a problem with the apartment – they’re almost doubling our rent – and I called her and I said, ‘I know this isn’t your job…’ but she went above and beyond by getting me a couple names of other places.”
No matter what happens with their living situation, Don and Ann know they will have the support of ESP and Monica – and each other.
The Elderly Services Program is available in Bulter, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties in Council on Aging’s service area.