The federal and state governments and some nongovernmental organizations have been offering an array of assistance to elderly persons in the society. Of most importance is the support offered by both federal government and state government where they help aged people from the age of 60 years and above to access health care, housing and retirement issues. They fund various centers that offer these services for senior citizens of the nation. (Butler, 3)
In my response to the requirement of this course assignment, I selected Silver Manor Home of The Aged, which is located in Meriden, Connecticut. This independent living community directs its effort in Independent living including home ownership in retirement communities, and senior apartments providing safe and easy-maintenance living for the elderly who are given an opportunity to live independently with other seniors while joyfully engaging in social activities together. Among the services offered by this home includes home ownership for retired individuals as well as rental apartments.
Among the things, that I wanted to know about this housing program for the aged was the way they managed their affairs or their daily running of the program. I wanted to evaluate the client’s satisfaction concerning the services this housing community offered since clients’ attitude determines the success story of any organization. Another area of interest was how the community met its daily expenses and whether the government footed its entire bill or not. In cases where the government does not cater for the entire bill, I wanted to know where the community solicited extra funds. Employees and workers of any organization, whether nonprofit or a profit-oriented are the most important stakeholders of the enterprise. They determine the success and quality of the services rendered to the client. The way employees are treated and the motivation given to them helps them to offer their services optimally. I wanted to know how employees are treated in this home for the seniors. I wanted to know how employees feel in their daily execution of duty. The challenges faced by employees in their course of duty were also an area of concern. Lastly, I wanted to know the opportunities presented to the employees as they work with these organizations.
My list was full of areas of interest. I prepared it and everything else that I would require in my interview. I called the administrator of this community to book for an appointment. After several failed attempts in getting an appointment, I finally secure one.
It was on Friday at noon when I finally arrived at silver manor home- the aged after a several hour drive. The home is located in Meriden town, 128 Curtis Street. I was clothed in a navy blue suit with official boots and a tie. My white shirt was well marching with the rest of my attire. I was welcomed by receptionist who had to first call her boss to allow me in the administrator was a cordial man who signified that he was waiting for me. After cordial pleasantries and a cup of tea, we were now psychologically ready for the exercise. I promised the administrator that the interview would be as private and confidential and that no part of the information would be leaked to outside parties.
The first thing I wanted to know was how the home has set its vision and how far it has gone in achieving its goals and objectives. The administrator told me that the home started to offer services for the aged due to the demand of such a program in the society. According to the administrator, their organization set a goal of solving some of the issues that face the society today. He argued that the home was committed to quality and enjoyable sunset years of aged individuals. He went further to say that the home was striving to give affordable housing to their clients together with services that would lessen the burden on them. He added that the home has been successful in offering such services and has contributed in bringing older people together thus increasing their social circle and decreasing the boredom associated by staying alone. (Tobin, 23)
When I asked how the home has been able to solicit funds to meet their daily expenses, the administrator pointed out at the support offered by government and the nongovernmental not- for – profit organizations account for a portion of the cost. The support offered by government includes payment of pension to the aged people through the community or other certified channels where the aged can access their pension. He then proceeded to state that the federal government as well as the state government also assists in areas of rent, for example, by contributing a portion of the rent some of the members. Medical assistance and benefits also come from the government where the aged are able to access medical services through that have been subsidized and paid for. Some medical services are free while others are subsidized to enhance affordability. Government support is also seen in areas of promoting and financially supporting education for caretakers in these homes. Apart from funding these educational programs, the government also is involved in the payment of caretakers’ salaries and benefits in these homes for aged (Bowker, 18).
The services that were being offered in that home included free transportation for medical shopping as well as transportation to other recreation activities. The center also offered free laundry, houses as well as weekly social outings. In addition, the center also provided maintenance and repair of the house. My interviewee then stated that the prices of houses are influenced by many factors such as the size of the apartment, location and availability of other basic social amenities.
The administrator emphasized on the importance of employees in delivering the services offered by the home. He believed that employees’ productivity is very much determined by the cordial environment of inclusiveness as well as motivation. He went on to state that apart from the support received from the government in footing the bill of employee, the home also helps them financially by offering a wide range of benefits such as medical care and transport allowances. He said that the training they undergo helps them in dealing with elderly clients in terms of effective service delivery (Stern, 47).
Challenges that are faced by employees in undertaking their duty according to the administrator include problems dealing with the specific needs and requirements of various individuals. Each aged person has different needs and requires a different degree of attention. Other problems include memory failure and physical fitness of the clients. There are some clients who are too frail even to wash themselves. Others have different illnesses and this proves to be a challenge in caring for them. The administrator also outlined various ways of dealing with each challenge, including the evaluation and analysis of every client’s needs. (Katz & Sheila, 32)
The interview was over and I was very glad and grateful towards the administrator for sparing his time to respond to my interview. We bid each other farewell and I started my journey home having leant a great deal of information about the working and operations of Silver Manor Home of The Aged.
Work cited
Butler, Robert N. Why Survive?: Being Old in America. Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002. Print
Bowker, Lee H. Humanizing Institutions for the Aged. Lexington, Mass: Lexington Books, 1982.
Tobin, Sheldon S. Preservation of the Self in the Oldest Years: With Implications for Practice. New York: Springer Pub. Co, 1999.
Katz, Jeanne, and Sheila M. Peace. End of Life in Care Homes: A Palliative Approach. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003
Stern, Marc J. The Pottery Industry of Trenton: A Skilled Trade in Transition, 1850-1929. New Brunswick, N.J: Rutgers University Press, 1994.
