By Magen McCrarey
Staff intern
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
Home is where the heart is for London residents.
The choice of living at home or in an assisted living facility faces the growing population of aging residents in the U.S. The city of London is keenly aware of this growth and is looking for ways to enhance the lives of seniors within the community.
A recent study by the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Elder Readiness Initiative (KERI), states that the majority of older Americans would prefer to age in their homes and communities for as long as possible. The Baby Boom generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is reaching the retirement age and in 20 years will reach about 71.5 million.
The aging population will pose communities with new challenges for the delivery of local services such as health care, recreation, housing, transportation, public safety, employment and education, according to KERI.
Changing bed linens, cooking meals and cleaning posed as daunting tasks for 83-year-old retired bookkeeper, Ellen Timberlake. She walked with a walker and her husband, Jack Timberlake, walked with a cane.
Timberlake, two and a half years later, now 85 years old, lives at the Village Heights Assisted Living Facility. Her husband passed away in May of this year.
“I’m lucky to be here because I have somebody with me 24 hours a day,” she said.
A 78-year-old retired public school music teacher enjoys living in her own home, just as she has for over 50 years. Sue Taylor stays active within the religious community of First Baptist Church. She plays the organ for church services and eats with other senior church members for dinner on occasion, as well as traveling on bus tours.
She has often reconnected with her college friends from other states, has traveled the whole U.S. and has even traveled out of the country when the opportunity arises.
“I drive…but I’d rather do more bus trips,” Taylor said.
When it comes to making a decision of living on her own or moving to an assisted living facility she says she would like to stay at home as long as she can.
“I guess when something happens-then I’ll consider moving,” she said, “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
Taylor says her neighbors take good care of her, they help take care of her cat when she’s traveling, and they fix things around her household when she is unable to.
Taylor and her husband, Harold, were married for 53 years. He passed away a year ago.
“I just think I can’t go on without him,” she said, “And then I thank God for my health and all my friends.”
However, Grover Cleveland (G.C.) Garland is a 78-year-old retired Laurel County school superintendent and Village Heights resident who says that he is quite capable of living at home for the most part; but he has had three surgeries prior to moving into the assisted living facility and has realized how difficult it would have been to stay at home.
He said the advantages of living at the facility began to add up, because he could get his medications through the nursing home where his wife is located, which is just a short walk down the street.
Staying near to family and loved ones is an important factor in making life decisions for many seniors. Four years ago Garland’s wife began having chronic health problems and the need to be near to her was a priority.
“I check on my wife three times a day,” Garland said.
Assisted living residents are able to leave household chores, worries about security and transportation to the facility, while they continue their normal daily routines such as shopping, gardening and exercise.
“Independence I think is the key quality of life,” he said.
Patricia Parson is Village Heights’ youngest resident at 67 years old, and she is unable to drive because of Parkinson’s disease.
The assisted living facility provides transportation for their residents, but not every resident needs assistance. Garland drives on his own to maintain his current job of managing rental properties.
For those who do need assistance in London, public city transportation could be an option for the future, said Mayor Troy Rudder.
“But for now, the city is working to stay on top of sidewalk repairs and placing a bench on every couple of blocks,”
“Sometimes seniors use them to socialize, and basically as a place to take a break,” he said.
The city has placed crosswalk buttons at every major intersection in the downtown area. When it comes to the time available to get across crosswalks in London, Timberlake said she has never had any trouble.
Aging citizens who choose to live at home versus an assisted living facility have a priority, and Rudder says it’s the desire for independence.
“The city needs to allow them to keep their independence as long as they’d like,” he said.
Assisted living facilities offer entertainment and activities for most every day of the week. Churches offer many opportunities for seniors, while the city supports the Older Persons Activity Center for all local senior citizens.
OPAC offers a senior citizens center, transportation to locals 60 and over, congregate meals and various in-home services.
“I don’t know any other small town that has as much to offer for all ages,” Timberlake said.
Taylor says that she would like to see a bigger community center that can hold theatrical events and lots of parking.
“I’m a widow and lived alone for 18 years, so this is lovely for me to be with people again,” Parson said.
Many seniors like Parson find assisted living a positive solution for companionship.
“They seem to be their own family unit…it’s great to see,” Rudder commented about his experience in visiting assisted living facilities with church groups and other organizations.
“Organizations like assisted living facilities are continuing to increase as well as residents, and this trend will continue as the aging population increases,” Rudder said.
Overall, London seniors find that staying busy and keeping in touch with friends and family is the key to the heart of happiness.
Taylor says when it comes to making the decision of staying at home or moving into an assisted living facility, seniors should ask themselves two things: How good is your health? Are you lonely?
Staff intern Magen McCrarey can be reached by e-mail at mmccrarey@sentinel-echo.com.
