Many Hancock Park area residents are members of the Sandwich Generation – pressed together like a hot panini with the needs of our aging parents melting down from the top slice, and our growing children putting on the heat from below. Windsor Square resident Linda Myerson Dean was facing just this situation a few years ago when her elderly mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease proved difficult for the entire family. They didn’t want to move her out of her comfortable home, nor away from her loving husband. So Linda did what all good children do, she went on an exhaustive search to find a solution. Fortunately, she found a good one: St. Barnabas Senior Services (SBSS.) In fact, not only did Linda decide to enroll her mother in the day care program, she joined the Board of Directors at SBSS.
St Barnabas provides a plethora of ‘wrap-around’ daily services for seniors including meals, companionship, exercise, transportation, shopping services and even time tutoring on the computer in the Cyber Café’. This “adult day care” allows seniors to still live independently in their homes, but be engaged, and cared for during the day. During my visit to St. Barnabas on South Carondelet St. (near Wilshire and Hoover) this was all obvious: the staff were warm and friendly; the seniors were engaged, bright-eyed and busy. Much better than seeing one’s elderly aunt nap for hours in front of the television at home alone.
There are multiple levels of service, including a program for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia where meals, companionship, exercise and mind stimulation – all in a comforting, sunny environment – are the fabric of each day. Across the street is the more independent Adult Day Program where seniors congregate over coffee and donuts to play chess, eat a healthy lunch, practice tai chi, or take a stab at Wii bowling (popular!)
The old-school St. Barnabas name reflects the Episcopalian origins of the institution founded in 1908. It is now nonsectarian, and an independent, nonprofit that operates through Medi-Cal reimbursement, private fees and grant and foundation funding. The SBSS service area includes the greater Wilshire / Hancock Park area.
If you’re feeling like the meat in the sandwich these days – check out St. Barnabas for your elderly family member or friend. Linda did the legwork, and many of us could benefit from becoming a part of the SBSS community. In fact, Linda will personally answer any questions you may have (phone her at 323 228 8546.)
St. Barnabas Senior Services 675 S. Carondelet St Los Angeles, CA 90057 213-388-4444Read story on St.Barnabas by Steve Lopez, LA Times
