HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #05 Dave HolderAssisted
L o c a t o r s_
Assisted Living Locators of North Indy
6029 Haverford Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46220
November 21, 2019
Mr. Joseph Shestak
City Hall, One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Dear Mr. Shestak,
I am writing to you in support of James Miles' residential dementia home Willow Haven Senior Home.
Dementia has not only affected by family, but also led me to my career to help families find senior living
options. Willow Haven Senior Homes would provide the much needed option for families in Carmel.
In 2016, my Father -in -Law was diagnosed with dementia related impairments. He stayed in his Carmel
home of 40 years with my Mother -in -Law as caregiver. As his disease progressed, the stress and
overwhelming burden of keeping him in the home became too much for my family. Unaware of viable
options and resources, my Mother -in -Law and wife started the search for his new home. This daunting
task proved confusing, stressful, and reinforced our naivete on the available options including care,
costs, expectations, and transition. Enamored with the decor and engaging Marketing Director they
decided on a new community that offered Independent and Assisted Living as well as Memory Care.
Two months later, my Father -in -Law was not receiving the care to meet his level of dementia needs, and
the process was started all over again to find the correct community that met his care level .
Our family's experience was nearly four months of stress that brought out a range of emotions from
sadness and anger to helplessness and resentment. I was introduced to the franchise, Assisted Living
Locators in April of 2018. In June of 2018, 1 purchased the first territory in Indiana so I could offer no
cost assistance to families making the same transition as my family.
The option of a residential home environment for families is much needed in Indiana. With Willow
Haven offering only 12 beds, I am excited with the prospect to offer this choice to families. Imagine a
citizen diagnosed with dementia transitioning from their home to another home -like setting, with a
higher nurse -to -resident ratio. It will change that residents care and quality of life, but also change the
families lives too.
Assisted Living Locators
Independently owned and operated
AssistedLivi n
L o c a t o r se
The current model of communities offering independent, assisted living and memory care with 100 plus
units can work for a ►ot of people. However, my concern is that the aging population is staying in their
own homes longer and the dementia population is growing. As the current generation and baby
boomers age, the existing model of communities will be unable to staff the incoming level of acuity for
their assisted living and dementia residents. This will lead to substandard care in these models, as well
as more people being sent to skilled communities (nursing homes) because the assisted living and
memory care communities can't meet expectations of care.
Carmel has led Indiana with solid infrastructure, schools, safety, and the arts just to mention a few.
Carmel needs to led the way in Indiana by addressing the aging population and providing workable
options, like Willow Haven Senior Homes to Carmel and Indiana residents.
Sincerely,
v
Dave Holder, CSA
Owner/Senior Living Advisor
Assisted Living Locators North Indy
Assisted Living Locators
Independently owned and operated