Pictured is Missy Peck (seated, center) surrounded by staff and friends at Crestwood Ridge Care Center during a Housewarming Party in her honor to shower her with well wishes for her new residence. Her new Area Agency on Aging District 7 Care Manager, Debra Estep, RN, is pictured standing second from the left.

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Having a “housewarming” party is not something that usually happens at a nursing facility, but staff at Crestwood Ridge Care Center in Hillsboro, Ohio, was happy to celebrate the achievements of one of their residents and wish her well as she moved on to a new phase in her life.

It was hard to say goodbye to friends and those who felt like family, but Missy Peck has many things to look forward to as she settles in her new living establishment. Friends and staff at Crestwood Ridge Care Center recently hosted a party in her honor, showering her with special gifts for her new home, well wishes, and hugs, before her move to Country Living Assisted Living in West Portsmouth, Ohio, in Scioto County. Peck’s story represents that of a successful transition back to the community from a nursing facility, and the community agencies who work together to make that transition as smooth as possible.

Peck, 45, was recently a resident at Crestwood Ridge where she had lived since January 2012 following a hospital stay. Due to Peck’s medical needs, it was necessary that she remain in a nursing facility in order to meet her level of care needs that included 24-hour care, rehab, and other forms of assistance that were best provided in the environment available at Crestwood Ridge.

Once her needs changed and her health status improved, Peck no longer required the level of care and assistance that was provided through a nursing facility like Crestwood Ridge, and began to search for assisted living options that were available in the area. Working with the nursing facility, the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7), which covers ten counties in southern Ohio, conducted an assessment with Peck and began the process of identifying assisted living facilities that would be available and suitable for her needs. This type of facility could assist Peck as needed, but also provide her with more privacy and the opportunity to partake in a variety of activities including day trips and shopping. After a site visit, Peck decided that Country Living was a good fit where she could receive the care that she needs in addition to the opportunity to embark on fresh adventures and create new friendships.

“I miss the facility and all the people at Crestwood Ridge, but am excited that I can go places and have my privacy,” Peck says.

“Missy has been a joy to have at our facility,” says Doris Schmidt, Admissions and Marketing at Crestwood Ridge Care Center. “We miss her, but we are so very proud of her. It has been amazing to witness her go through all the stages of independent living; from someone who needed total care, to one who is now appropriate and ready for assisted living. It has been wonderful to see her progress.”

“In my 24 years of nursing in long-term care, I have never had the opportunity to share this type of celebration with a resident,” commented Kim Jackson, RN, Director of Nursing at Crestwood Ridge Care Center. “We miss Missy, but we are so proud of the accomplishments she has made.”

The Assisted Living Waiver Program, through the Area Agency on Aging District 7, is a state-wide long-term care program for Medicaid recipients that provides another alternative to community living. Assisted Living facilities offer an apartment-like setting with a private room and private bath. Residents have access to staff 24-hours-a-day for help with activities of daily living, personal care, homemaking, meal preparation, medication monitoring and assistance, and socialization. In addition, each individual is assigned a care manager from the AAA7 who is either a registered nurse or licensed social worker. The care manager assists the individual with program accessibility, well-being monitoring, advocacy, and access to community services and activities.

To participate in the Assisted Living Waiver Program, an individual must meet the following requirements:

• Be a resident of Ohio

• Be age 21 or older

• Be Medicaid-eligible

• Have the ability to make a minimum room and board payment to the assisted living facility

• Meet the intermediate nursing home level of care

• Be able to have all care needs safely met in a residential care facility

Nearly 3,200 Ohioans currently use the Assisted Living Waiver. To determine if assisted living is a good option for you, contact the Area Agency on Aging District 7 toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 and request a free assessment.

Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay. The AAA7’s Resource Center is also available to anyone in the community looking for information or assistance with long-term care options. Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, the Resource Center is a valuable contact for learning more about options and what programs and services are available for assistance.

Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY: 711). Here, individuals can speak directly with a nurse or social worker who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. The Agency also offers an in-home assessment at no cost for those who are interested in learning more. Information is also available on www.aaa7.org, or the Agency can be contacted through e-mail at info@aaa7.org. The Agency also has a Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/AreaAgencyOnAgingDistrict7.