Conference taveng::bagels

1010.0. "Nursing home help in Boston area" by CUPMK::TEMPLE () Mon Dec 10 1990 17:02

    Long time reader - first time writer
    
    Can anyone help me find a kosher nursing home for my mother in the Greater
    Boston area?
    
    My mother turned 81 in June.  Up until that time she was a vibrant,
    active, independent woman.  She played Mah Jongg, canasta, organized a
    sisterhood in her shul, had a million friends, and lived independently 
    alone in New York.  My father died 10 years ago. In August she had a 
    stroke.  We didn't think she'd be able to walk again but luckily, she 
    seems to be getting stronger and stronger and she IS able to walk and 
    has regained almost full range of motion in her affected leg and arm.
    She has other problems however, a pacemaker, some stomach problems, and
    most disturbing of all - confusion.  The confusion seems to come and
    go, some days are better than others.
    
    But, I'm hoping, with 24 hour help, she WILL be able to go home.
    
    The problem comes if she's not able to make it at home.  I'm the only
    child and I live in Boston proper.  If she needs nursing home care, the
    only logical place for her to be is the Boston area.
    
    I called the Hebrew Rehab Center for the Aged; from what I've heard and
    read, they're the best, but they have a 12 month waiting period. I put
    in an application, but I'm trying to line up alternate plans.  Does
    anyone know anyone who knows anyone at the HRCA who might be able to
    help shorten the waiting period? Does anyone know of any other kosher
    nursing facilities where the waiting period is not so long?  Someone
    told me of a kosher place in Lowell.  That's on my list of things to do
    today.
    
    I really hope some of you will be able to give me some help and some
    suggestions. The little family I have left is spread all over the country.
    
    Thanks in advance for all your help.  If you'd like to send mail
    directly to me, I'm on VAXmail at PICA::TEMPLE.
    
    Charlotte Temple
    
                                                        
    

	Call Jay Solomont at the Willow Manor Nursing Home in Lowell.
	454-8086.  (I think the area code is now 508, but I haven't
	lived there in 1.5 years...)

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... and Jay may be able to point you to a kosher nursing home closer to Boston,
since his family owns quite a few nursing homes in the area (for instance, I
believe Coolidge Corner nursing home in Brookline is Solomont-owned).

    Maybe the Jewish Family and Childrens Service could provide some
    additional references.  

    Thanks for your help.  I just spoke with Jay Solomont. He told me a bit
    about both Willow House in Lowell and the Coolidge House in Boston.
    I have a meeting with him in a couple of weeks to check out both
    places.   
    
    I also called the Jewish Family Service, Department of Elder Care, and
    they gave me another lead, The Swampscott Rehab Center.  

    I just wanted to add another recommendation for Willow Manor.  My
    mother spent about a year there and the staff that I came into contact
    with was always caring and concerned.  My mother's health (mental and
    physical) improved within a couple of months (until a final stroke).
    

    My wife is a social worker in the Boston area, so I posed this question
    to her.  She gave me a list of a few homes in the immediate Boston
    area.  She can list more in the suburban areas if you are still
    interested.  Just let me know.  Hope this helps.
    
    Coolidge Corner Convalescent Center
    30 Webster Street, Brookline
    734-2300
    All Kosher
    
    Star of David Convalescent Home
    1100 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury
    325-8100
    Kosher kitchen
    
    Recuperative center (SHORT TERM ONLY)
    Roslindale
    
    Chelsea Jewish Nursing Home
    17 Lafayette Ave, Chelsea                       
    884-6766
    Kosher kitchen