Northwestern Medical Center hosts 1st long-term care resource fair | Local News
ST. ALBANS — Northwestern Medical Center held its first-ever long-term care resource fair on Friday to address community questions about planning futures for themselves or loved ones.
“Our Care Management team noticed the number of questions they get on this topic from both our own staff and from community members has increased,” Kate Laddison, NMC’s director of community relations, said. “It’s such a complex and difficult topic that they decided to develop an event to help folks out.”
About a dozen vendors filled the hospital’s conference center, and organizers were pleased with the strong and consistent number of people who checked out the event throughout the day.
Visitors were able to speak one-on-one with representatives from the area’s senior living and rehabilitation facilities, like Franklin Homestead, Franklin County Rehab Center and Ave Maria.
Kate Blouin, a long-term care nurse with the State of Vermont, was available to help folks better understand the varied levels of senior care — from assisted living, to respite, hospice and more.
“It’s dramatically important to be prepared both medically and financially for a future that for some might be uncomfortable to think about,” Olivia Smith from Genesis Healthcare said.
Kate Blouin, right, long-term care nurse for the State of Vermont, explains care choices to a community member. The state offers some financial assistance through Long-Term Care Medicaid.
All of the vendors had take-home flyers and materials about available resources.
Agencies and nonprofits that offer transportation, food and activities for seniors were also present. AgeWell shared information about Meals on Wheels, for example, while HomeShare Vermont discussed options for aging in place.
Larry Dugan, with the Franklin County Senior Center, excitedly talked up all the activities the center offers for people over the age of 50.
“I’m a big advocate for the exercise program,” he said, but there are also groups for cribbage, line dancing, book club, mahjong, sewing and more. “Membership is $15 a year. That’s a good value.”
Jodi Walker, director of nursing, and Kate Gladden, assistant administrator, talk about Franklin County Rehab Center’s options for rehabilitation or long-term care.
Connie Mahaney attended the fair to learn about the options available for both herself and her husband.
“Everything I needed to know about was here,” she said. “I wasn’t rushed, and I love the take-home materials.”
If NMC hosts the fair again, she would encourage young people and caregivers to attend, so they can better understand the options for the aging people in their own families.
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