Senior Care and Retirement Living

Hurricanes by Joni Friedmann-Lagasse

and the Elderly

HOW MANY OF YOU were horrified when you saw photos of the 850 nursing home residents that were evacuated to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish? How about the seniors living in subsidized housing apartments? These poor souls were trapped in their apartments with no electricity, no air conditioning, and no way to get food or even water. Many were disabled and in wheelchairs. The building management had evacuated leaving the most vulnerable people to fend for themselves. While these examples are extreme and some facilities did a great job, many other seniors fell through the cracks. We must do better for our seniors.

This brings me to my own special interest in seniors and keeping them safe, preferably in their own home. To do this, you must be prepared. You must have help you can rely on. You really should have a whole house generator and enough food, water, supplies, medication and oxygen to last for seven days. If you have these things, most caregivers will agree to stay in place with you. If you cannot provide these basics things, you should evacuate. The elderly cannot withstand the heat.

For Hurricane Ida, Dependable In-Home Care had about 10 percent of our clients stay in the area with their caregivers. All had whole house generators and many caregivers stayed with their clients 24/7. My staff took calls and manned the phones all while being evacuated themselves. I am never prouder of my staff and caregivers than I am in a disaster. They are caring professionals.

I have always known that for most people, staying in their own home is usually the safest place for them to be. It’s also where most want to be. If you are reading this and considering care for yourself or a loved one, please consider home care first. You can always move to an assisted living center or nursing home later as conditions change.

For more information on home care, cost, and availability please call us today, 504-486-5044. We are Nationally Accredited and have been servicing the Greater New Orleans for over 52 years.

Finding Support and Reaching Goals at St. Anthony’s Gardens

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IRIS BLUNDELL and Director of Marketing and Sales Jenny Voltz both share the vision of the Archdiocese of New Orleans: to provide a beautiful senior living community where seniors are thriving and reaching goals they had not thought possible.

When asked about her favorite part of her day, Iris says, “It’s seeing the residents building relationships with

ST. ANTHONY’S GARDENS photos courtesy: one another and staff and caring for one another. Being part of this senior living ministry and touching lives on a daily basis has been one of the most truly joyous times of my life. I look forward every day to watching my ‘extended family’ enjoying life in this new and fun chapter!”

Working in senior living most of her career, Jenny expresses her joy in assisting families when the time arises for a transition to a supported environment. Changes are often difficult, but Jenny says her favorite part is sharing the many gifts and talents of St. Anthony’s Gardens with families and providing solutions for their loved ones.

“St. Anthony’s Gardens offers more than an Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care Community. We offer a supported environment with as much or as little help as our residents would like. And, families have the assurance that St. Anthony’s Gardens has the most compassionate and caring staff to assist their loved ones as needed, every day,” says Jenny.

Jenny and Iris love sharing St. Anthony’s Gardens with the local community. “We have hosted many organizations and meetings and love giving back to our community by sharing a leading role in the Alzheimer’s Association and hosting support groups for memory care and Parkinson’s,” Jenny says. “We are always looking at new ways to share St. Anthony’s Gardens with the surrounding area.”

Iris adds, “St. Anthony’s Gardens’ strength is our strong teamwork, and at the Gardens, we never stop enjoying life!” Shine On!

St. Anthony’s Gardens, A Senior Living Ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, is located at 601 Holy Trinity Dr. in Covington. 985-605-5950. stanthonysgardens.org.

Senior CareResources

Chateau Drugs & Gifts

3544 W Esplanade Ave S, Metairie 504-889-2300 chateaudrugsrx.com

Culicchia Neurological

New Orleans, Jefferson and Northshore 504-340-6976 Culicchianeuro.com

Dependable In Home Care

702 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans 504-486-5044 dependablecare.net The caregivers you request, when you need them, at a price you can afford. Locally owned and operated since 1969.

Family Dermatology Specialists, LLC

3421 N Causeway Blvd., Ste. 202, Metairie 504-832-6612 Family Dermatology Specialists, LLC focus on total skin wellness.

LCMC Health Urgent Care

Algiers, Gretna, Clearview, Lakeview, Covington, Marrero and Uptown LCMChealthurgentcare.com

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center

602 N. Acadia Rd., Thibodaux 985-447-5500 thibodaux.com At Thibodaux Regional, you are not a number – you are someone who will be treated with respect, cared for with compassion, and treated kindly.

Retirement LivingResources

Money Hill

100 Country Club Dr., Abita Springs 985-892-3300 moneyhill.com

St. Anthony’s Gardens

601 Holy Trinity Dr, Covington 985-605-5950 StAnthonysGardens.org A ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans specializing in independent living 55+ and older; assisted living; and memory care.