Dear Neighbor,
This newsletter is about a candidates' forum in Somerville focused on senior issues AND about the new rest home in Somerville.
For years, I've been surprised and disappointed that candidates don't focus on those issues. It used to be common for candidates to pander to older people, who are the most likely to vote. Local candidates still sometimes give coffees or even dinners in senior buildings, but don't usually talk about older people's concerns. I am so happy that Somerville Cambridge Elder Services and the VNA's Senior Living Communities are sponsoring a
MAYORAL CANDIDATES' FORUM ON
ISSUES AFFECTING SOMERVILLE'S SENIORS
This Thursday, August 5, 4:40 - 6:30 pm
Doors open at 3:00 for Open House with tours and refreshments.
Candidate meet and greet at 4:30
Q&A with the panel at 5
at VNA Senior Living (former Little Sisters Residence) 186 Highland Ave.
Seating is limited, fully vaccinated only, masks required.
RSVP: info@vnaem.org
Please submit questions for candidates in advance
The forum will be livestreamed on Somerville Media Center's Facebook page and SCATV Channel 3
We were so sad when the Somerville Home, the last rest home in our area, closed in 2018, and when Little Sisters announced they could no longer operate their home on Highland Ave. It is so exciting that Linda Cornell and the VNA have acquired the beautiful building and grounds on Highland Ave. and are operating most of it as a rest home.
You may know someone who would benefit, perhaps from moving from a nursing home, or needing more care than they have at home. This one currently has beds available now.
In the three buildings run by the VNA, there have been no COVID deaths. A friend told me her mother, who lives in the Lowell Street building, told her last spring how safe she felt.
Many people don't know that rest homes provide more care than assisted living, though less than nursing homes, with private rooms and at half the cost of a nursing home. There are onsite programs for medical, dental, podiatry, optometry and audiology, as well as visiting nurses and rehab specialists. Government programs pay for those who qualify at VNA, allowing private pay residents to stay even if they spend down to Mass Health levels.
Last week, Brian Zipp of Somerville Media Center recorded my interview with Linda Cornell, the VNA director, as well as interviews with residents of the three VNA facilities. That show will be available on SCATV and streamed later in August.
Stay safe and stay in touch!