I was employed by Fayette Senior

Services as a case manager in late August of 2000. I am a licensed practical

nurse. I served in the Air Force for six years and worked in a military

hospital that served a very large retired military community. I have worked

in nursing homes and hospitals.

Before I came to Fayette Senior

Services, I worked for an in-home services agency as a staffing coordinator

for several years. Part of the staffing coordinators duties were to help

our elderly clients get the services that they needed. In all, I've been

working with our aged citizens, in one capacity or another, for over 20

years now.

As a case manager for Fayette

Senior Services, my duties (in a very broad definition) are to visit the

homebound and arrange for any services that they may need so that they

can remain at home. This includes ordering Meals on Wheels or in-home

services such as help with a bath or household chores.

There are several issues I

would like to address:

1. The alleged abuse of seniors

and nonexistent services at the Friendship Center. I am detached from

the Friendship Center, as I do not assess the clients who attend the program.

A calendar is posted monthly with activities listed. Some of the regularly

scheduled activities include trips to the library, trips to Wal-Mart,

doctor appointments, Bible study, blood pressure checks, nutrition and

wellness classes, and exercise classes.

Whenever I pass through the

center, I have observed seniors participating in these activities at one

time or another. I have seen clients participating in crafts, playing

cards, playing dominos, playing bingo, doing crossword puzzles, reading

the paper, along with several other activities. I have even seen clients

using two of the "nonexistent" sewing machines. Whether the

senior participated in any of these activities is strictly up to them.

The seniors are treated to

a lunch out on occasion. Recently, they all went to the local "Alice

in Wonderland" play. I have never seen the seniors doing very little,

unless it is their choice. I have never seen a client being "forced"

to come to the Friendship Center or upset and crying because they're there.

These seniors have the choice whether or not to attend the Center and

if the seniors were being abused, why are they still coming? Why haven't

their family members called up complaining? Where are the missing services?

2. Nonexistence of in-home

services. We currently have a total of 40 homebound clients receiving

help with a bath or household chores or both. I order these services to

a subcontractor myself. I know the clients are receiving them. Contracting

these services outside of our agency is the most cost-effective way of

providing them.

3. Nonexistence of help with

utilities. There is an Energy Assistance Program that is federally funded

and operates out of Clayton County. Whenever I find a client that needs

help with utilities, I refer them to this program. There is also a weatherization

program that will help "weatherize" a client's home. If the

client has other needs, like help with prescriptions, there are several

prescription assistance programs that clients are referred to. If the

client has an unanticipated monetary need, they are referred to Fayette

Samaritans or other entities for assistance. I try every possible avenue

to get the help the client needs.

4. Nonexistence of help with

home improvement and yard work. There are several individuals and organizations

who donate their time and equipment to do home repairs and yardwork. If

the senior has a need for this type of assistance, we call on these individuals

or organizations.

5. Nonexistence of Meals on

wheels program. We currently serve 125 meals per day to homebound seniors.

Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, these meals are delivered Monday through

Friday, rain or shine. We couldn't have a Meals on Wheels program without

our volunteers. This is one of the most important services that we provide.

Homebound seniors who receive this service depend on these meals. In some

cases, it is the only hot meal the senior receives.

6. Nonexistence of information

and referral services. Several times a day we receive phone calls from

people in the community looking for various services or help for their

loved one. We have a large, statewide database and we give them information

on the services available or refer them to the agency who can give them

the type of help they are looking for.

I love my job. I feel that

it is more of a ministry and not an actual job. I enjoy going into the

clients' homes and visiting with them while arranging for the services

that they need. All of us at Fayette Senior Services work as a team to

provide our seniors with the best services possible. Andy Carden, Linda

Gantert and Kate Calcaterra and all the other employees are the best people

I have ever worked with. Their compassion and concern for the seniors

is incomparable.

While I understand that there

are concerns and complaints being voiced by past employees and center

attendees, I think that the people of Fayette County need to come to the

center and make a decision for themselves. It is very hard for me to believe

that someone would say a service does not exist before they even check

to see if the service is in place or not. I cannot believe that the citizens

of Fayette County would be so quick to judge without actually checking

to see if the allegations are true or not. I want to invite all of the

people in the community to come and talk to our seniors at the center

at any time. They are there from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Any and all citizens are welcome to visit.

Pat Vermeer, LPN

Case Manager

Fayette Senior Services,

Inc.

Griffin