Current Newsletter - Washington Hancock Community Agency

Fall 2014
15th Edition
The Mission of Friendship Cottage
To gently tend the needs of dependent adults in a welcoming setting,
while guiding and assisting the family and friends who care for them.
Advocacy
Little did we know how long it would take, but our
advocacy effort to push for an increase in the reimbursement rates for adult day service in Maine has
finally paid off! When we opened our doors in 2008,
we were aware there had been no increase in the reimbursement rate paid by the State since 1997. Here
we are six years later and one step closer to financial
sustainability as effective November 1 the rate increased to $12.56! It’s still not enough to offset the
cost of the exceptional quality of care we provide our
participants in Friendship Cottage, but it is a very
positive development that the value of adult day service is becoming more recognized. The story is worth
sharing here.
Advocating for an increase in the reimbursement rate
for adult day service programs in Maine has always
been a priority for staff and Advisory Committee of
Friendship Cottage. In the fall of 2012, our advocacy
efforts gained momentum when Friendship Cottage
staff met State Representative Richard Malaby, who
serves on the Health and Human Services Committee
in Augusta, at a meeting of political candidates and
health care providers in Hancock County. As a former family caregiver, he understands the challenges
many caregivers face and met with Friendship Cottage
staff, participants, and caregivers to learn firsthand the
value of Adult Day Service Programs to the families
we serve.
In early 2013 Representative Malaby drafted LD 62:
An Act to Provide Additional Funding for Respite Care
for the Elderly and for Adults with Disabilities and obtained bi-partisan support for the bill. The original intent of the bill was to increase funding so more citizens
could be served, however it was amended to increase
the hourly reimbursement rate from $9.45 to $12.00 to
help ensure existing Adult Day Service providers
might continue to operate successfully. Through his
efforts, LD 62 passed in the
~continued on Page 7
Pictured (left to right): Theresa Johnson (Executive Director National Adult Day Service Association), Anne Ossanna, Representative Malaby, and Senator Afflerbach (retired)
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Thoughts from Anne
While I write this column, the sun is shining on the few
remaining leaves on the trees and I am reminded why late
fall is my favorite time of year. As we transition into the
season of gratitude, the shorter and cooler days offer time
for reflection on the blessings of the year, and there have
been many at Friendship Cottage.
I recently returned from Charlotte, North Carolina where I
spent 3 days in meetings, workshops and networking at the
National Adult Day Service Association conference. Over
400 people from 40 states and 3 countries attended the
conference. It was an honor to witness Representative
Malaby receive the prestigious Senator John Heinz Award
for his ongoing advocacy for adult day service programs in Maine.
The past winter was challenging for many of our participants and elders in our community who lost power for
days. Realizing the need, a generous donor challenged Friendship Cottage to raise $20,000.00 for a generator,
which would allow Friendship Cottage to remain open during power outages and to welcome our elderly
neighbors with a warm place and a hot meal. To date, $14,500.00 has been pledged by members of our
community, we are just $5,500.00 short of our goal.
We are so thankful for the ongoing support of community members and partnerships with other organizations.
On behalf of the staff, volunteers, caregivers, and most especially those entrusted in our care, please accept my
heartfelt thank you. We are very blessed to have the support of a compassionate and committed community.
With gratitude,
Anne N. Ossanna
Inspirational Thought
WHCA Staff
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but
also dream; not only plan, but also believe”
Mark Green, Executive Director, Hancock
Anne Ossanna, Director Adult Day Services, Franklin
Joe Perkins, Director of Development, Blue Hill
Rita Brown, Nurse Consultant, Blue Hill
Lucy Bunt, CRMA, Sedgwick
Kathy Holden, CRMA, Brooklin
Holly Ellis, CRMA, Sedgwick
Anne Bryan, Activities Coordinator, Blue Hill
David Bunt, Driver Sedgwick
Bobbi Harris, Newsletter Editor, Winter Harbor
Sarah Nugent,, Resource Developer, Orland
-Anatole FranceFriendship Cottage Advisory Committee
*Barbara Clark, Ellsworth
Del Thomas, Castine
Joe Perkins, Blue Hill
Joan Weber, Little Deer Isle
* Denotes Chair
Jim Vickers, Surry
John Gray, Brooksville
Verena Stoll, Brooksville
Gerry Bryan, Emeritus
Marshall Smith, Emeritus
Come join our promise!
Anne Ossanna, LSW, Director Adult Day Services
118 Ellsworth Road, Route 172
P.O. Box 1107, Blue Hill, ME 04614
Tel: 207-374-5612
Cell: 207-479-3078
Fax: 207-374-5023
www.friendshipcottage.org
[email protected]
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Thank You
We extend a heartfelt Thank You to Joe Stockbridge for
his vision and dedication to Friendship Cottage and to
his service on our Advisory Committee.
Volunteer Spotlight
At the Annual Meeting for Washington Hancock
Community Agency on October 28, 2014, Friendship Cottage volunteer Barbara Sinclair was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award. Barbara has
volunteered over 300 hours since March 2012; we
are so blessed to have her as a volunteer. Barbara is
always able to engage our participants. Her playfulness brings a smile to their face and a twinkle to
their eye. There is a belief by some that angels
walk amongst us. Barbara is certainly our angel at
Friendship Cottage.
“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can
serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to
serve. You don’t’t have to make your subject and
your verb agree to serve….You don’t have to know
the second theory of thermodynamics in phusics to
serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul
generated by love.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr
Pictured: Friendship Cottage Volunteer Barbara Sinclair and
WHCA Executive Director Mark Green.
The most heart warming aspect of being a volunteer at
Friendship Cottage is to witness how participants live
our mission daily, caring for each other with kindness
and compassion.
The cottage is meant to be a gathering place where men
and women who need support can gather, receive excellent care and be in a protective environment where
they may thrive to the extent of their abilities. Those
who would be socially isolated at home can find friendship and care.
While staff and volunteers are caring for participants,
they build their own society, attuned to each other's
needs. During all of their activities, spirited reminiscence, word and history brain teasers, music and pet
therapy, various forms of Bingo and Sorry, crafts, exercise, at meals and during seasonal celebrations they listen to each other, watch out and root for each other,
acknowledge and praise their neighbor. There is a sense
of camaraderie and purpose.
Picutred: WHCA Executive Director Mark Green and Friendship Cottage Advisory Board Chair Barbara Clark.
And so in the daily Friendship Cottage routine we remember that those we are caring for have the ability,
no matter how frail to care for us in a meaningful way.
In the end, that's our testament to being human no matter how much we have lost, who we are, our core mission in life.
~ Barbara Clark
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Friendship Cottage Advocacy Efforts
Anne Ossanna and National Adult Day Service Association
Board Chair Chip Cromartie at the Awards Banquet in
Charlotte, NC.
Representative Malaby and Senator Afferbach at the National
Adult Day Service Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Congressman Michael Michaud and WHCA Board
Member Joan Weber discuss elder issues.
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Commissioner Mayhew listens intently to the challenges
caregivers face.
Joe Perkins, Joan Weber providing a tour of the Caregiver
Resource Center to Commissioner Mayhew.
Theresa Johnson of the National Adult Day Service Association
and Representative Malaby at the Awards Banquet in
Charlotte, NC.
Good Times at Friendship Cottage
Holly Ellis and Kathy Holden are our Saturday Certified
Residential Medication Aides.
Jane shows gratitude for the lovely music
performed by Masanobu Ikemiya.
Shirley and Karen have become wonderful friends
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Masanobu Ikemiya treats us to a classical performance each month.
Friendship Cottage Support Groups
In support of our mission to provide those caring for dependent adults the guidance and support required to
care for themselves and their loved ones during challenging times, Friendship Cottage offers the following
Support Group:
Caregiver Support - First Friday of the month from 1:00—2:30 pm in the Caregiver Resource Center at
Friendship Cottage. Open to all those caring for an adult.
Caregivers from Hancock County are invited and encouraged to participate in the support group. Please contact Anne Ossanna at 374-5612 for additional information or to sign up for onsite respite for adult care receivers.
“Dear Anne, thanks for your support and guidance during this incredibly difficult time for my mother. You
have been exceptional and compassionate and opened our eyes to the existing resources for elder care in the
area. This transition has been daunting but we are most thankful for the community of friends and area professionals who have pulled together to help our family see brighter days ahead. Thank you for your support!”
- Adult daughters living out-of-state providing long distance care for their mother.
Office of Elder Services
Maine Alzheimer’s Association
Information about programs and services for older
adults, including information on Assisted Living options, Medicare, and prescription drugs.
Toll Free: 1-800-262-2232
TTY: 1800-606-0215
www.state.me.us/dhs/beas
Dedicated to providing information, services, and
support for people with Alzheimer’s.
Toll Free: 1-800-660-2871
Phone: 1-207-772-0115
www.mainealz.org
Generator Challenge!
We are so excited to report that a most generous anonymous donor has issued a challenge match to help
Friendship Cottage purchase a much needed and long wished for generator!
When power goes out on Greene’s Hill in Blue Hill, Friendship Cottage has to close the program if power is
not restored within a short period of time. The safety and well-being of participants and staff are at risk without lights, heat and plumbing. Most especially in winter when we frequently experience stormy weather and
the resulting dangerous road conditions, it can take a while until transportation can be secured either with family members or the Friendship Cottage van.
The cost estimate including site work and installation for a generator powerful enough to allow Friendship
Cottage to operate normally is $20,000. The anonymous donor pledged $5,000 and challenged us to raise
$15,000. We are very fortunate to have received another $5,000 pledge and additional donations totaling
$4,000, so we are within $6000 to meet the challenge. Will you please help us keep the power on?
Your gift will assure that our participants remain warm and secure at Friendship Cottage during power outages.
That is one less worry for their loved ones who are their caregivers. On behalf of our participants, caregivers,
staff and volunteers, thank you for helping us meet the Generator Challenge at Friendship Cottage.
With Gratitude,
Friendship Cottage Advisory Committee
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Advocacy (cont’d from Page 1)
Maine House and Senate in the spring of 2013 and was the top priority bill for the Health and Human Services
with no funding available, LD 62 remained in Appropriations.
In the fall of 2013 WHCA Executive Director Mark Green and FC Program Administrator Anne Ossanna were
appointed to the Adult Day Service Stakeholder Committee to create a vision for Medical Adult Day Service
Programs for the state of Maine. As the stakeholders met, it became clear to DHHS the hourly reimbursement
rate was inadequate and needed to be adjusted.
Members of the Maine Adult Day Service Association began contacting members of the Appropriation Committee in the winter of 2014 to encourage them to support LD 62. The Stakeholders continued to meet during
the winter months advocating passionately for increased reimbursement rates. With continued leadership from
Rep. Malaby, increased reimbursement for Adult Day Service Programs in Maine was kept alive in LD 1719
which passed through Appropriations and was approved overwhelmingly by both the Maine House and Senate.
Unfortunately, the bill was vetoed by the Governor. Working right down to the wire on the last day of the legislative session, Rep. Malaby led an ultimately unsuccessful effort to override the veto.
This past summer, DHHS did a reimbursement analysis at the request of the Stakeholders. The Stakeholders
recommended an hourly rate increase to $12.56. Rep. Malaby continued to have discussions with the Governor’s office and DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew about the need for additional funding and facilitated a
visit by Commissioner Mayhew to Friendship Cottage in September. During the meeting with Commissioner
Mayhew, WHCA Senior Staff and Board Members stressed the importance of a reimbursement rate that was
reflective of the true cost for the services we offer.
Anne Ossanna nominated Rep. Malaby this summer for a prestigious award given by the National Adult Day
Service Association. The Senator John Heinz Memorial Award recognizes a public official making an outstanding contribution to the field of Adult Day Services. Anne nominated Rep. Malaby for this award because
he worked tirelessly with all interested parties in a bi-partisan manner to ensure the financial sustainability of
adult day service programs that keep our most vulnerable citizens where they want to be, living in their homes.
The nomination was successful, and on October 10th Rep. Malaby accepted the Senator John Heinz Memorial
Award in Charlotte, NC at the Annual National Adult Day Service Association Conference. Shortly after the
conference, the Maine ADS Stakeholders were notified the hourly reimbursement rates for state funded adult
day service programs would be increased to $12.56 effective November 1, 2014. Clearly, all of our advocacy
efforts have paid off!
However, there still is much work to be done. WHCA staff is well positioned to lead advocacy efforts that
support programs that enable our community members to age in place: Executive Director Mark Green is on
the Board of Directors of the Maine Council on Aging; Joe Perkins, Director of Development, serves on
Maine House Speaker Mark Eves’ Elder Issues Work Group; Anne Ossanna serves as President of the Maine
Adult Day Service Association; and Mark Green and Anne Ossanna remain on the appointed ADS Stakeholder
Committee. In mid-November, Joe Perkins will present on the panel for the Tri-State Roundtable on Aging in
Portsmouth, NH with Anne Ossanna an invited guest. This groundbreaking event will bring 150 leaders in the
field of aging and elder health across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont together to strategize on the best
way to serve our elders and communities.
~ Anne Ossanna and Joe Perkins
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Thank You
to the most recent of our generous contributors
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 Amanda Fund
 Bente Hartman, Castine, ME
 Anonymous
 Nancy & Charles Hatfield, East Blue Hill, ME
 Elise & David Adams, Castine, ME
 Emily & David Hawkins, Blue Hill, ME
 Charles Alexander & Timothy McCormick,
 Michael Hewes & Company, Blue Hill
Ellsworth, ME
 MaryAnn & Norman Alt, New York, NY
 Nita & Chandler Barbour, Deer Isle, ME
 Vickie & Peter Bartholow, Dallas, TX
 Thomas Beck & Kerri Jones, Washington, DC
 The Benenson Family
 Ann & Oz Bonsey, Blue Hill, ME
 Frances Bos, Castine, ME
 Virginia & Standish Bourne, Castine, ME
 Riata & Loren Brown, Blue Hill
 Willard Brown, Jr., Brooksville, ME
 Gerry Bryan & Barbara Peppey, Brooksville, ME
 Dianne & Bobby Capen, Surry, ME
 Dr. Phil Caper, Brooklin, ME
 Dr. James & Dorothy Carey, Blue Hill, ME
 Martha & Samprit Chatterjee, Bronxville, NY
 M. Harrison Clark, Jr., Brooksville, ME
 Barbara Clark, Ellsworth, ME
 Susan & Ted Clayton, Little Deer Isle, ME
 Posie & Doug Cowen, Blue Hill, ME
 Martha & Nathan Dane, Little Deer Isle
 Ruth & Joel Davis, Brooksville, ME
 Christina & Rudy Deetjen III, Blue Hill, ME
 William M. Doak & Nina Mocniak, Surry, ME
 Sylvia & Chandler Duffy, Blue Hill, ME
 Pamela & George Elias (Rooster Brothers),
Ellsworth, ME
 Linda & Samuel Emerson, Harborside, ME
 Dianna & Benjamin Emory, Salsbury Cove, ME
 Jean and John Eysenbach, Brooksville, ME
 Margaret & James Eysenbach, Belmont, MA
 Richard Faust, Surry, ME
 Stephen Fay & Martha Nordstrom, Ellsworth, ME
 Marcia Fenn, Blue Hill, ME
 Anne &Anthony Ferrara, Brooksville, ME
 Jim Fisher & Donna Madonna, Blue Hill, ME
 Mr. & Mrs. William M.G. Fletcher, Little Deer Isle,
ME
 Margery Forbes, Blue Hill, ME
 Ruth Foster, Ellsworth, ME
 Dr. Robert Friedlander, Castine, ME
 Susan & Richard Gurin, Blue Hill, ME
 Courtenay Haight, Blue Hill, ME
 Nancy& Bill Hanley, Brooklin, ME
 Lillian & Norman Higgins, Manahwkin, NJ
 Dr. Joan MacCracken Holmberg & Dr. Bob
Holmberg, Brooksville, ME
 Peggy & John Hopkins, Brooklin, ME
 Reverend Sara & Dan Huisjen, Brooksville, ME
 Rayanne & Eduard Kleiner, Pound Ridge, NY
 Wendy & David Knickerbocker, Castine, ME
 William Lawless, Hancock, ME
 Shirley & David LeBlanc, Blue Hill, ME
 Lois Lock, Blue Hill, ME
 Suzanne & John MacDonald, Castine, ME
 Barbara & Rick Malm, Blue Hill, ME
 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Mason, Castine, ME
 Mary Ann Matthews, Brooklin, ME
 Babs & Paul McNulty, Brooklin, ME
 Gerald Metz, Addison, ME
 Eileen & Mike Morrison, Castine, ME
 Drs. Danielle & Lawrence Mutty, Castine, ME
 Reverend Roberta & Christopher Nelson,
Sedgwick, ME
 Elinor & Duncan Neuhauser, Blue Hill, ME
 Sue & Paul Newlin, Deer Isle, ME
 Sarah Nugent & Amy Dunn, Orland
 Lydia & Philip Osgood, Brooksville, ME
 Jane & Wallace Palmer, Jr., Brooksville, ME
 Tom Perkins, Blue Hill, ME
 James Perkins, Audubon, NJ
 Joseph Perkins & Kathleen Podraza, Blue Hill, ME
 Doris Russell, Castine, ME
 Anne Sexton, Sargentville, ME
 Patricia & Dorrance Sexton Jr., Sargentville, ME
 Patsy Shankle, Ellsworth, ME
 Dr. Susan Shaw & Cynthia Stroud, Brooklin, ME
 Janet Simpson, Brooksville, ME
 Carol Skoglund, Brooksville, ME
 Bev & Al Small, Surry, ME
 Joyce & David Snow, Surry, ME
 Rev. Charles & Alison Stephens, Blue Hill, ME
 Nancy & Fred Stine, Brooksville, ME
 Joe Stockbridge, Surry, ME
 Pamela Storm & Robert Rolfe, Brooksville, ME
 Veronica & Michael Stubbs, New York, NY
 Gudrun & Charles Tarr, Brooksville, ME
Continued on Page 9
Thank You
(continued)
to the most recent of our generous contributors
 Mr. & Mrs. Lowell Thomas, Blue Hill, ME
 Marion Thomas & Rebecca Lucas, Castine, ME
 Patricia & Dale True, Brooksville, ME
 Betty & John Tyler, Blue Hill, ME
 Tradewinds Marketplace, Blue Hill, ME
 Anne & Robert Vaughan, Harborside, ME
 Mr. & Mrs. Ed Volkwein, Surry
In Memory of Luther and Gertrude Perkins
 Judy & Bob Capritti, Bronxville, NY
 Carol & Tim Montagano, Manahawkin
In Memory of Joyce Rosinski
Robert Dick, Castine, ME
In Memory of William Veague
 Dr. Robert Walker, Blue Hill
 Christine & Frank Wanning, Blue Hill
Barbara & John Ganem, Pepperell, MA
 Joan Weber, Little Deer Isle, ME
In Memory Dot Rankin
 Jean Webster, Brooksville, ME
Joan & Stuart Kimball, Atlanta, GA
 Barbara & Robert Woodhouse, Blue Hill, ME
 William & Carol Youngs, Steuben, ME
 Saydeen Zeldin & Edward Watson, Hancock, ME
 Clements Family Charitable, Key West, FL
 Dead River Company, Bangor, ME
In Memory of Alice Mulliken
Bill MacArthur, Orlando, FL
In Memory of William Muszala
Dr. Mary Cushman Circle, Castine, ME
In Kind Donations
 Home Depot—Shower Transition Ramp
 Maine Seacoast Mission—Holliday Gifts for
participants
 Barbara Clark—Towels and Board Games
In Memory of Robert Fogarty
In Honor of Leona Gray
Linda & Stephan Lindsay, Brooksville, ME
In Honor of Margery Smith
The Ellsworth Rotary Club, Ellsworth, ME
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully,
everyone is blessed.” Maya Angelou
 Karen Bruaw, Auburn, ME
 Jeanmarie Reed, Penobscot
Please help us continue to serve caregivers and their loved ones!
Through your donation, you will help Friendship Cottage provide Adult Day Service care for those in need and a Caregiver Resource Center to guide and assist the
family and friends who care for their loved ones at home. You can help those being cared for and their caregivers in Hancock County live more independent, satisfying lives. WHCA is a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization; all gifts to it are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations or memorial gifts of any size are most welcome.
Please accept my donation of $ ____________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number:___________________________________________________________________________
This gift is:___________ in honor of
__________ in memory of
Name:______________________________________________________________________________________
Please make your check payable to: Friendship Cottage/WHCA
Friendship Cottage
118 Ellsworth Road, P.O. Box 1107
Blue Hill, ME 04614
For more information or assistance, contact Joe Perkins, WHCA Director of Development at
(207) 610-5910 or by e-mail to [email protected]
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Washington Hancock Community Agency
248 Bucksport Road
Ellsworth, ME 04605
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