spotlight on the golden years

‘Thrive and Be Happy’: Independent Plus Meets Needs to Make It Happen

Meeting their needs, making them happy, and keeping them independent is what Patti

Sims, director of Concordia’s Independent Plus program, seeks to achieve every day. Whether doing laundry, ironing, changing kitty litter, walking a dog, or preparing a meal, Patti loves interacting with residents of the community. “Our program is designed for people who aren’t quite ready for assisted living. The independent living services are for those who want to stay independent but need a little bit more help. We tailor everything according to their need.”

Cindee Johnson, a marketing director at Concordia, noted an additional benefit of the program. “Our services can assist someone who recently had surgery or an injury and needs extra help temporarily while they recover. We might have someone who was released from rehab and is now using a cane or a walker. They may not be getting along well with this new device, so we assist them, along with physical therapy and home health. There are so many benefits this program provides to help seniors remain independent. We might remind them of their meds, bring them meals and engage them in exercise.”

She went on to describe the marked improvement of a new resident who had moved to the community from rehab. “He had a stroke and wasn’t able to return to his home. He moved to Concordia, and we worked with him along with the physical therapist to help him regain his independence. Now he’s walking with a cane and doing great. We want people to know about the wide range of services available, because one of two things happen when seniors are looking to move to independent living. They either say, ‘I’m not ready’ or ‘I’m beyond what’s offered here.’ However, that may not be the case. As I said, we can offer services that will help them keep their independence — it’s all about quality of life.”

Independent Plus is both flexible and affordable. The program charges according to the service needed. “In the Plus program we don’t have a two-, three-, or fourhour minimum,” Patti explained. “We provide help based on their need. They might need assistance just for a week, or it could be for several months. “We want to see people thrive and be happy. It’s in their faces. That’s my job and the reason I love it. I meet some great people; it really brightens my day.”

She mentioned that some residents have family members living in distant locations who aren’t able to visit very often. “We have a resident in our program whose children live out of state, so I stay in close contact with them. I see their loved one every day, so I’ll text them with updates or tell them how the resident is doing or what they may need. I let family members know they can call or text me any time. I also work closely with our nurse, Linda, and let her know if they might need her to check in on them or assist with scheduling a doctor appointment.”

Cindee added, “It’s such a comfort for family to know they can step away and actually have somebody look after them or have peace of mind knowing their loved one is in good hands.”