Everything Elderly is on Saturday mornings at 8:30, on 1290 AM WLBY, sponsored by Senior Helpers. This past weekend we were very pleased to talk with representatives from Evangelical Homes of Michigan and the Gilbert Residence.

We first had the privilege of speaking with Denise Rabidoux, the president and CEO of Evangelical Homes of Michigan, a full service provider for older adults. Denise is a hands-on executive staying very involved in the operations as well as working on new strategic initiatives. Evangelical Homes is a large organization with about 1,000 employees. Denise has been with EHM for 17 years, the last 10 years as president and CEO (and the first woman and first non-minister in that position).

This past week, Denise was at a health care conference in Washington, D.C. There was considerable discussion about health care reform and what it means. There are mixed emotions and some misunderstandings about the changes, and all health care providers are trying to get ready for what’s coming.

LifeChoices and LifeChoice Solutions are two programs that EHM has initiated to help people live at home. There are 43 million Americans over 65 years old, and 39 million live in their own homes. Most elderly want to stay in their home. Evangelical Homes is at the forefront of a national initiative to provide full home based services to help keep individuals in their homes. The ‘medical home model’ concept includes being able to receive hospital-like services in your home. If you have senior parents, Denise talked about the importance of talking and knowing your parents vision of their elderly years — and starting to explore options, doing your homework ahead of time.

To contact Denise or Evangelical Homes of Michigan, please call 734-295-9292. Their website is evangelicalhomes.org or ehmchoices.org. To listen to the full 12-minute segment, click the audio link below:

Derek McGill, CEO/administrator of the Gilbert Residence joined the discussion next. The Gilbert Residence is in Ypsilanti and is a home for the aging providing assisted living, memory support and nursing facility services. As Denise said, “Gilbert Residence is a treasure”.

The Gilbert Residence is very involved in the local community, working with the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, as well as numerous programs with the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and local high schools. Eighty-two percent of their residents come from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. With the current economy, Derek talked about how people are waiting a little longer to go into an assisted living setting, as it is usually paid for by the residents or their families.

Derek spoke very fondly of Gilbert Residence, saying “When you walk into our facility, it feels like the 1950s, in a good way —it feels like home, it feels like grandma’s home.” What’s been so beneficial to the Gilbert Residence is the continuity of the staff. As of September this year, the facility has been open 50 years, and 10 people on their staff have been there at least 20 years. Derek obviously loves his residents, including a 99 year old who is still very active in the local community. To get in touch with Derek or the Gilbert Residence, please call 734-482-9498, and you can visit their website gilbertresidence.com. To listen to the full 12-minute talk, click the audio link below:

Alan Caldwell is the owner of Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. He can be contacted at acaldwell@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.