Best Place for Seniors to Live in Ventura California: Silvercrest Residence

Today, 80 percent of middle-aged couples have at least one living parent. As, many learn to adjust to reversing roles of child and parent, they confront demands of caring for those who once took care of them.

Daughters usually assume the responsibilities for parent care-giving, adding to already full jobs, at home, at the office, or both. Elder care has become a top problem in our society today, as it replaces child care as the number one issue for men and women, in today's work force. People are spending more time caring for, or providing for, the care of their elderly parents than ever for caring for their own children. The problem will only magnify with the aging of the population. This is especially true, when we take into consideration, the "baby boomers" born between 1946 and 1964, and the children of that population explosion turning 60, in the year 2006!

In 1976, I was trained as a U.S. Army Combat Medic and Neuropsych Tech. I was in the top 5% of my class in Corpsman school, and 2nd in Neuropsychiatric Technician Class, at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. Later, I was the 2nd female, in Ventura County, to be licensed to work in ambulances; before there were women on fire engines and very few female officers on the Ventura Police Force. I am no expert, but I have a working knowledge of the care, stabilization or transportation of sick, injured or debilitated persons. Having shared that, I would like to share one of Ventura County's best kept secrets...

I found the Salvation Army operates facilities called Silvercrest Residences in many cities through out the United States. The Salvation Army says they are, "... moderate cost, older adult residences, which provide clean, safe and comfortable housing, and are "sensitive and responsive" to the needs of individual residents. Subsidies are available at most facilities to low income residents who qualify."

Search the words "Silvercrest Residence," at http://www1.salvationarmy.org, to find one close to you. Their own site is the best place to look, because many of their residences have unique names. People who know of, or have used Salivation Army programs, sometimes affectionately refer to the organization, as "The Sally."

While I was helping out a friend, working for Senior Helpers, Ventura County, I visited the Silvercrest Residence located at: 750 Petit Avenue, Ventura, California. I had to buzz and identify myself, to enter the residence, and then walked into a bright, sunlit entry way, painted and decorated with vibrant colors and very nice furnishings. I was greeted by a few of the residents; lively ladies, who looked to be enjoying themselves, and each other's company.

Colors are important to mental health and a sense of well being. The designers of this residence used a family of colors that was reassuring, but also energizing. You can find out more about color and how it affects moods by visiting: http://iit.bloomu.edu/vthc/Design/psychology.htm. If you are looking into senior living, make sure you are aware of the environment, as a whole.

My observations in continuing care or geri-care, started back in the 60's when I was a Candy-Striper at our local County Medical Center, and continued through to late 1980's. Back in the 1970's, I worked for Courtesy Ambulance, Ventura, California, (long gone now), where I did a lot of inter-facility transfers. I was pretty well soured on geriatric care homes, or continuing care/nursing homes. Where ever money is the primary or over-riding concern, care becomes second, or lower, on priority lists. The end result, is barely adequate, or, poor quality care.

Some of the residences I visited, brings to mind a work of fiction, an old movie, seriously on the fence post between truth and fiction, regarding elder care. It was a made-for-TV movie, by Kirk Douglas' Bryna Productions, which aired in September, 1985. The movie, "Amos," can be checked out at http://movies2.nytimes.com. While Amos is a work of fiction, I must say, I truly saw things, I wish I had never seen, or could forget. But that's another story for some other time. Today, we are talking about the best.

Now, in our new millennium, the Salvation Army, has stepped up to the challenge of providing responsible and sterling care for our seniors. They actually provide a lot of different living, and support systems, for many different people, in many different situations as part of their mission on earth. Again, you can visit their site to find out more, about many of the needs they provide for.

The following is from the Sally's site, for California Senior Housing; "The state's fastest growing population is people 65 and older. However, construction of affordable housing units for seniors hasn't kept pace. According to a recent AARP study, for every one vacancy, there are nine eligible seniors." Their own site further explains, residents pay only 30% of their income for housing! The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pays the difference. They also build with a focus on residents' need of spiritual and social events and are welcome to participate in community oriented activities and recreational programs. "The Salvation Army Silvercrests provide more than just housing; they provide a home."

When walking into the entry way, the most immediate difference, was an absence of foul odors! The residence smelled as clean as it looked. I saw residents participating in lively conversation. I stopped and and spoke with them a while. They were decked out in their everyday wear, which was miles above and away, from institutional garb of other facilities I have visited. Their hair was coiffed, they wore some of their sparkling jewelry, and they spoke animatedly, and were very welcoming. This all conveyed to me, a noticeable absence of depression amongst residents.

When I walked into the actual receptionists office, the lively, and reassuring color scheme continued. I saw a small breed dog wandering around, with the run of the place, and a perky little cockatoo in her cage next to the receptionist. I had the pleasure of talking briefly, to their "front desk" gal. I quipped I felt like I just walked into a "Dr. Doolittle" office, rather than a retirement home. She agreed it was a fun place to work, and indeed, the animals contributed to that.

While I was there, I noticed a lot of windows, the natural light that flooded the environment, the meticulous upkeep, the fact that it was located right across the street from a well kept and very green park, with lots of grass and shade providing trees to enjoy. And I saw lots of smiles.

I asked the ladies what age you had to be to qualify and they replied. I laughingly told them I was jealous of them, and their wonderful home. I told them I would be back. In the meantime, I hope the Salvation Army continues to build the fabulous residences that some of the luckiest seniors I have ever met, get to call home. It gives me hope that there will be decent housing, when I need it.