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Published on 07/07/1997 All articles from this issue

Pilgrim Haven launches home care program with funds from Packard grant

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By Jean Newton

Special to the Town Crier

Pilgrim Haven will launch a new home care program this month, thanks to a $133,129 start-up grant from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Designed to provide respite care, hands-on training and assistance to seniors, the home care program will serve the elderly within a seven-mile radius of Pilgrim Haven, located at 373 Pine Lane in Los Altos.

"There's such a need for this," said Pilgrim Haven Administrator Steve Jacobson. "We've specialized in geriatric care for almost 50 years now. We have an experienced staff and we're right in the neighborhood. It's a natural extension of our services."

Founded in Los Altos in 1949, Pilgrim Haven was the first retirement residence for American Baptist Homes of the West (ABHOW), a non-profit, non-sectarian organization headquartered in Oakland. It offers three levels of care at its campus including residential apartment living, assisted living and 24-hour skilled nursing care.

The home care program embraces the Pilgrim Haven wellness philosophy of helping people remain independent and active as they grow older.

"Our home care program provides support services and training so people can be safe, healthy and able to stay in their own homes longer," said Karen Jenney, nursing and health services director at Pilgrim Haven.

Support services offered through the home care program include assistance with bathing and grooming, light housekeeping, cooking and meal preparation, transportation to medical appointments, and companionship.

In addition, post operative assistance after hospital discharge and respite care are available.

"Our goal is to help people take care of themselves. We also provide support for caregivers through training and respite care," Jenney said.

"People need to know help is there when they need it."

The program is ideal for children who may live elsewhere and are worried about their elderly parents, Jenney said.

"We can check in to see whether someone is taking their medicine correctly and eating properly. It's important folks have the assistance they need and it's so important for them to have interaction and companionship," Jenney said.

The on-call home care service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, call Pilgrim Haven home care at 948-8291.