Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/112093
The FREEMAN MARCH 2013 INSIDE PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WAUKESHA, WI PERMIT NO. 3 As population ages, focus shifts to caring for elderly More facilities being developed; Brookfield Fire Department is proactive as well memory care facilities in the community and recently three more were approved ��� BROOKFIELD ��� It���s rarely Silverado Senior Living, Applewood Senior Living easy for seniors to give up and Brookfield Elderly . living in their own homes, but more services are being Additionally, he said there are about as many assisted offered for them in Brookliving facilities in the area. field when they are in need ���The market demand is of assistance. In recent months, the city not just limited to residents, has approved three memory but family members of residents,��� he said. care facilities, including Having several assisted Brookfield Elderly, LLC, living and memory care which got some final approvals during the Feb. 19 facilities in Brookfield is ���additive to our housing Common Council meeting. diversity that is consistent The nearly 15,000-squarewith the 2035 housing foot, 25-bed facility is goals,��� Ertl said. planned for 460 S. Calhoun ���Not one size fits all for Road. Wayne Wegenke, the Charles Auer/Freeman Staff owner and developer of the housing and the more diver- Marge Dole plays Ladderball during an afternoon game session at sity we have the more facility, said he saw a need Brookfield Regency Senior Community on Feb. 8. strength there is in our for a facility in Brookfield housing supply in our opinthat would serve the frail elderly and those with ion,��� he said. dementia and other memoWegenke hopes to have his ry-related health conditions. facility open by the fall. It ���We all need a qualified, will be run by an operator to quality place to stay versus whom he leases the facility . an institutional facility,��� he He said he didn���t do a demosaid. graphics study before decidWegenke said he has built ing to build in Brookfield about 40 facilities around because he knows that there the state that serve the is a need in most places for elderly population. such a facility . ���That���s where our society Applewood Senior Living is right now,��� she said, adding, ���The baby boomers Debbie Petrauski-White are catching up.��� and Greg Petrauski, coDan Ertl, director of com- owners of Applewood Charles Auer/Freeman Staff munity development for Senior Living, also recently Marion Marinello, right, throws while playing Ladderball at BrookBrookfield, said there are See SENIORS, PAGE 6A field Regency Senior Community on Feb. 8. already about four or five By Katherine Michalets Special to The Freeman Brides say ���eye do��� to professionally applied eyelash extensions 2A Barbara Eash antiques appraisal column 6A Calendar of events 4A Hello, Brookfield & Elm Grove! Brookfield & Elm Grove This Month is free and will arrive in your mail the first week of each month. In each month���s edition we will take an in-depth look at an issue, person or other story in the community. We will also provide other important information such as community activities and updates on local stories. We encourage you to subscribe to the daily Freeman for coverage of Brookfield, Elm Grove and the rest of our area. To subscribe, to reach one of the editors with story ideas or for photo reprints, call 542-2500. We hope you enjoy this month���s edition. ��� Freeman editors Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WaukeshaFreeman Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WaukeshaFreeman More than seven years of in-home assistance and going strong Buy a Lunch and 2 Beverages, and receive a FREE LUNCH (of equal or lesser value) 230162006 Ken has no other family members to assist in his care. After a knee replacement, he saw a story in the paper and called Comfort Keepers. Shar Meller came out for the free assessment and the rest is history. Shar had told Ken that she had the perfect caregiver for him and Ken said, ���Shar was right.��� Rita and Ken have become good friends in the six-plus years that Rita has been his Comfort Keeper. Rita provides light housekeeping, laundry, transportation to medical appointments, groceries and errands, taking Ken anywhere that he needs or wants to go. Until recently, after he broke his ankle, Ken was able to treat Rita to lunch. Now she stops for food and brings it home to him. Ken said that he even shared his precious Green Bay Packers tickets with Rita and she has shared pictures of her grandchildren. Rita���s husband has retired and she said that if not for their friendship, she would retire as a caregiver too. A CALLING Shar Meller, owner of Comfort Keepers had watched her own dad and mom fight to remain in the comfort of their home. She saw firsthand the determination and stress ��� both mental and physical ��� on her mom as the main caregiver for her dad in honoring his wish to die at home. Shar said she had an inspiration or a calling from God to dedicate her life to helping seniors remain independent with the love and dignity they deserve. A NATIONAL FRANCHISE Comfort Keepers has 650 national owners. In 2011, the company was again ranked as one of the Top Two Franchises in Senior Care by Franchise 500. Meller said the company creed, to ���Treat each and every client as if they are a family member,��� best matches her own family���s philosophy. Shannon and Gina Meller own two of the four family-owned franchises. Gina, the office manager, and Shannon���s wife, is responsible for screening employees (motor vehicle, criminal background and credit checks) so that they are bonded and insured. Gina���s continuous training program helps to ensure caregivers are well-rounded and give peace of mind to seniors and their families as the caregivers enter their home and life. Shar���s son Shannon, marketing and assessment director, has been with Comfort Keepers from day one. ���Educating the seniors in the community about Comfort Keepers gives the seniors and their family members resource options that allow for living at home independently,��� Shannon said. ���Educating our referral sources, such as independent living centers, rehab centers, has been the key to our success.��� Comfort Keeper Rita and Ken have become good friends DAILY WORRIES AND FEARS Fear of falling, loss of physical strength, failing health and illness can be overwhelming. Shar said that seniors save money their entire lifetime and the fear of nursing home living or losing independence can lead to sadness, loneliness, frustration and depression. Comfort Keepers is the best step prior to leaving their home. Clients can choose how much care they need to remain safe and what they can afford, with a minimum of three hours per week to 24 hours per day. Homemaking services such as transportation to medical appointments, errands, groceries, home cooked meals, light housekeeping and laundry are available. Personal care services include, incontinency, safety, mobility, transferring and bathing. Comfort Keepers specializes in legal live-in services, Alzheimer���s care, Parkinson���s disease, short-term respite care and supportive home hospice. Comfort Keepers caregivers often become part of the client���s family ��� brightening their day, replacing worry and loneliness with happiness and peace of mind to the client and their family. For information and a complimentary assessment, call 414-858-9400, or visit www.comfortkeepers.com. Comfort Keepers serves Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties. Call 414-858-9400 for a FREE assessment! www.comfortkeepers.com Ranked in the Top 2 Home Care Agencies in America 230130349