It may come as some surprise that over the past 100 years, life expectancy in the U.S. has increased by three decades. People are living longer and with aging comes a host of issues that must be addressed, often by the adult children of aging parents. Here in New Orleans a number of products, services and facilities have been established to help make the aging process more comfortable and convenient.
Among the most important choices people must make as they age is where they will choose to live. In New Orleans, there are a number of residences and facilities designed for quality living in the senior years.
St. Anna’s Residence, located in the historic Garden District, is a non profit, non-denominational nursing home where gracious living meets excellent nursing care. St. Anna’s is not your typical nursing home. Period furnishings and décor transport residents to a charming, genteel, bygone era as St. Anna’s projects a decidedly non-institutional, signature look. Extensive renovation under the guidance of Blitch Knevel Architects is underway and will result in upgraded finishes throughout the house and private bathrooms for all but the infirmary level of care.
Residents enjoy private rooms, a full-time activities program led by a licensed music therapist, a chaplaincy program offering non-denominational Bible study and chapel worship as well as Catholic Mass and Episcopal services, a sumptuous and varied menu served restaurant style and secure off-street parking. St. Anna’s rich history can be traced back more than 155 years to its charitable beginnings in 1850, as a haven for widowed women and children of the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans. A licensed intermediate care facility, St. Anna’s provides 24-hour nursing care supervised by qualified nurses under the direction of individual physicians and its Medical Director. The ratio of caregivers to residents exceeds nationally recognized standards. Visit the Web site at www.stannas.com or call 523-3466 for more information and to schedule a private tour.
On historic St. Charles Avenue, Pratt-Stanton Manor takes the work and worry out of daily living while allowing residents to maintain their privacy and independence. For nearly 50 years, residents have enjoyed life at this nonprofit retirement residence, with no lease or buy-in requirement. Daily housekeeping and linen services, among other amenities, give residents time for companionship and relaxation in the Manor’s extensive recreational areas.
Besides its home-cooked meals, featuring delicious New Orleans cuisine, Pratt-Stanton Manor is perhaps best known for its exciting and elaborate activities program: “Any excuse for a party” is a motto the staff takes very seriously. The ideal location of the Manor allows residents the opportunity to enjoy outings to events such as movies, theater and museum exhibits, not to mention the chance to view virtually every Carnival parade, either from the parking lot or comfortably ensconced in one of several indoor viewing areas.
In addition to being used for shopping and recreational trips, the Manor van is available for medical appointments. Intimate in scale and setting, Pratt-Stanton Manor allows residents to feel that they are part of a caring “family” of staff and fellow residents, while allowing them to enjoy gracious, independent living in safe, secure surroundings. For more information, call 525-0895.
The owners of ARCH (Alzheimer’s Residential Care Homes) know that individuals affected with Alzheimer’s Disease fare better when they live in a caring, home-like environment and are exposed to a structure program of creative, physical and mental stimulation. ARCH provides real homes in nice neighborhoods with only five persons living in each residence. Highly-trained staff members live in the house with the affected individuals.
Each resident has an individualized care plan based on an extensive pre-admittance interview with family members. Residents are offered structured, failure-free activities, including art and music therapy, sing-a-longs, physical exercise, games and the viewing of favorite videotapes. Three meals are served daily, plus snacks. Regular family conferences are held to support and review each resident’s progress. The homes have 24-hour supervision. For more information, call 528-7941.
Christwood is the Northshore’s premier retirement community, enriching its residents’ lives while providing security for their future. Located on 66 landscaped and wooded acres near quaint towns and fishing villages, the cultural attractions of New Orleans as well as Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf Coast, Christwood Retirement Community offers several well-appointed independent living options including one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and 18 larger free-standing cottages. Fine dining, housekeeping, fully-equipped kitchens, chauffeured transportation, grounds keeping and landscaping all serve to ease the daily burdens of life so that residents can enjoy their active lifestyle. Add to that outdoor gardening areas, convenience store, hair salon and a continuum of services for all levels of care and the on-site health center, and Christwood emerges as an ideal spot to spend retirement years. Call (985) 898-0515 for more information.
If you live in the New Orleans metro area you are probably familiar with the refrain: “We’ve dedicated our life to yours – the people of Ferncrest Manor.”
Ferncrest Manor Living Center is a community committed to caring for individuals in need of specialized care. The Complex Care unit at Ferncrest Manor offers a skilled level of care for patients who require long term dependence on sophisticated health technology, in settings other than an acute care hospital. Highly skilled technical nursing care is provided to meet the intense level of respiratory needs for ventilator dependent residents.
The Dialysis Clinic has been rebuilt and is now reopened.
The Medicare Skilled Nursing Unit is a facility for patients with Medicare insurance and a diagnosis of (but not limited to) the following: tube feeding, physical, speech, occupational and respiratory therapy, wound care, tracheotomy, renal failure requiring dialysis and short and long term rehabilitation.
Ferncrest Manor also provides respite care for individuals requiring a short term stay. Caregivers who are going on vacation can rest assured that Ferncrest Manor will care for their loved ones while they are out of town.
The concept of community is the main component of everything the Ferncrest Manor staff does. Lush gardens, beautiful courtyards and a traditional New Orleans parlor provides the residents with the most luxurious surroundings. Best of all, Ferncrest Manor is equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and top trained staff. For more information visit www.ferncrest.com or call 246-1591.
Woldenberg Village Retirement Community, owned by Touro Infirmary, offers a variety of living accommodations, services and programs to meet the varied needs of seniors at different life stages. This facility includes beautiful spacious inpatient hospice program located in the skilled nursing unit. The rooms are all private and beautifully furnished with flat screen TVs and furniture to accommodate overnight family visits. With Registered Nurses on duty 24 hours a day, there’s no better care available for your loved one with a terminal illness.
Also located on campus is a state of the art rehab program offering physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The dynamic professionals are part of the Touro Infirmary Rehabilitation Program bringing a long standing reputation for quality care and dedicated staff.
Azaleas, the assisted living area of Woldenberg, has 60 one-and two-bedroom apartments with a living room, bedroom and kitchenette. A gourmet display chef is employed full time to provide out of the ordinary delightful meal presentations with taste bud popping cuisine. A truly remarkable feature that is available in independent living, assisted living as well as skilled care.
The Villas provide those looking for the best in independent living spacious garden apartments clustered amid lush gardens. Residents have access to a number of wonderful amenities, including the elegant community center, the perfect place for getting together with friends, playing a game of cards or for reading a good book. There is also a wealth of cultural programs and social events from which to choose.
The admissions department is readily available to meet with families and potential residents whether your need is inpatient hospice, skilled nursing, dementia care, assisted living or if you are just looking for independent retirement living with all the bells and whistles. The facility is located on 13 manicured acres in New Orleans with gated outside gardens and walking paths that are fully secure. For more information about Woldenberg Village Retirement Community, call 367-5640 or visit www.touro.com.
Expert Care
Nurses Registry was established in New Orleans in 1925 as the city’s official registry for nurses seeking employment in the area. In 1980, the Registry was privatized by a local nurse, and was bought in 1988, by Rose Mary S. Breaux, RN, BSN. In 1993, Nurses Registry Home Health was licensed as a Medicare Certified Agency and, in 1994, Nurses Registry Care Center Foundation, a 501(c)( 3) corporation, was established. Today, the business is operated by Rose Mary’s husband, Raymond C. Breaux, and daughter, Jeanne Breaux Caldwell.
Nurses Registry exists to meet the human health needs of the community by assisting the patient to move toward self care, a realistic level of wellness, an optimum quality of life and a return to the community. They are committed to attending to the individual needs of the patient, family and other care givers; treating the whole patient–body, mind and spirit; providing excellence in skilled nursing and therapies; collaborating with the physician and others who share in the care of the patient; assuring a respectful and positive work environment; and educating the community concerning health and wellness.
To find out more about services and career opportunities, visit their Web site at www.MyNursesRegistry.com. For employment, fill out an online application, or call 736-0803 or toll free at (800) 736-6744 to schedule an interview. You can also visit the office, at 990 North Corporate Drive, Suite 302, Harahan. Office Hours are Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Staying on Your Feet
The Podiatric Institute for Foot and Ankle Surgery is a podiatry practice serving Greater New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Edward Lang offers expert podiatric services, in his Metairie office, and soon to reopen Uptown office. Dr. Lang provides advanced treatment options for foot, ankle and lower leg problems.
Commonly treated conditions include Achilles tendonitis, fractures, bunions, calluses, corns, diabetic footcare including foot wounds and ulcers, heel pain, ingrown nails and plantar warts. As a podiatrist, Dr. Lang can treat foot conditions with orthotic devices and prescribed medication. Dr. Lang also performs perform inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures to treat painful feet, ankle and lower leg conditions.
The Podiatric Institute is committed to patient education. For more information, call 457-2300, or visit www.dredwardlang.com.
The Right Stuff
Patio Drugs is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Located in Metairie, Patio Drugs has a number of products and services that make life easier and healthier for aging parents. Patio Drugs provides medications and supplies as required for patients in nursing homes, long term care facilities and assisted living environments, in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. Although not a home health agency, Patio Drugs is able to work with the prescribing physician and home care nurse. The store also provides a complete line of enteral supplies and diabetic supplies, including glucose monitors, test strips, lancets, syringes, insulin and much more. Patio Drugs offers free delivery and the experienced billing staff can help patients secure their coverage through their healthcare providers. Patio bills Medicaid and Medicare and most private insurers. Patio Drugs is located at 5208 Veterans Blvd., Metairie. Call 889-7070 for information.
C’s Discount Pharmacy is a discount retail drug store providing a comprehensive line of health management products to individual consumers in the metropolitan New Orleans area. With a strong customer orientation, highly skilled staff and a comprehensive inventory of pharmaceuticals, C’s Discount Pharmacy is uniquely positioned to mitigate illness and improve healthcare outcomes across a broad range of therapeutic areas. C’s Discount Pharmacy, through its two retail locations in Metairie offers prescription and over-the-counter medicines, natural health remedies and a full line of household products represented by some of the most prominent and utilized consumer brands.
C’s Discount Pharmacy has a full line of pharmaceutical products, many related to aging, such as medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma and dry eye. C’s carries a full line of vitamins for macular degeneration, as well as anti-aging beauty products such as Retin-A, the complete Olay Regenerist line, the L’Oreal Skin Genesis line and lotions and creams designed to help diabetic skin needs.
Also available are blood pressure kits, weight scales, heating pads, foot products and paddings, and innersoles for foot comfort. C’s offers readily available pharmacy consultations, and there are always at least four pharmacists on duty. Emergency after hour phone calls services are also available.
C’s Discount Pharmacy is located at 1401 Veterans Blvd., Metairie. For more information, call 834-1570.
Funeral Planning
Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home exists to help you deal with the death of a loved one. The professionals at Lakelawn believe every life, whether lived quietly or bigger than life itself, is unique and deserves to be honored. The staff at Lakelawn Metairie knows that you and your family must make many decisions and gather numerous facts and documents when a death occurs. The caring, professionals at Lakelawn realize realize this is a very difficult time and want you to know they are there to help.
Families can choose from a wide range of options, traditional or nontraditional funeral services, ground burial, community mausoleum spaces, private family tombs, family copings, cremation and columbarium niches if they prefer cremation as a means of disposition. In addition, a full-service floral shop is located in the funeral home.
The beautifully landscaped grounds of Lake Lawn Park Cemetery are located adjacent to Metairie Cemetery. Lake Lawn was established in 1949 and offers a variety of options for families, including ground burial spaces, family tombs and outdoor terrace mausoleums and columbarium niches for cremated remains.
All Saints Mausoleum is located next to Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, on the lovely grounds of Metairie Cemetery. It was dedicated on November 1, 1986 – All Saints Day – as a joint venture with the Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral home is located at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., Metairie. For more information, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com, or call 486-6331. n
