Maine for the elderly (Bangor, Orono: section 8, salon, apartments)

[txmom]

This state seems to take very good care of its elderly citizens. When we moved to Old Town, we also moved my 83 year old mother-in law with us. She is living in Marsh Island Apartments in Old Town (subsidized housing for elderly and disabled). Her rent is based on 1/3 of her income, and the thing I love about it is that all of her utilities (including heat) are included in the rent. Also, if your income is above a certain level, I think you can still live there for a reasonable flat-rate rent.

She has access to congregate services, without having to go through any outside agencies - 2 meals a day, delivered to her apartment; laundry, errand, and light housekeeping services, all for a reasonable fee that is again based on her income. The bank is right across the street; her doctor is one block away; there is a drugstore across the street that has a good supply of essential food items; the Bangor "Bat" bus (community connector) stops right in front of the building. There are planned activities for the residents, there are nursing students that come from the University of Maine (Orono) to do blood pressure checks, there is a van that takes the residents to the grocery store twice a week, and there is a full-service salon very close to her building.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but the accessibility of services here is downright astonishing.

[elston]

Originally Posted by txmom

This state seems to take very good care of its elderly citizens. When we moved to Old Town, we also moved my 83 year old mother-in law with us. She is living in Marsh Island Apartments in Old Town (subsidized housing for elderly and disabled). Her rent is based on 1/3 of her income, and the thing I love about it is that all of her utilities (including heat) are included in the rent. Also, if your income is above a certain level, I think you can still live there for a reasonable flat-rate rent.

She has access to congregate services, without having to go through any outside agencies - 2 meals a day, delivered to her apartment; laundry, errand, and light housekeeping services, all for a reasonable fee that is again based on her income. The bank is right across the street; her doctor is one block away; there is a drugstore across the street that has a good supply of essential food items; the Bangor "Bat" bus (community connector) stops right in front of the building. There are planned activities for the residents, there are nursing students that come from the University of Maine (Orono) to do blood pressure checks, there is a van that takes the residents to the grocery store twice a week, and there is a full-service salon very close to her building.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but the accessibility of services here is downright astonishing.

That sounds wonderful!

I do remember an article about the elderly up in Machias, in fact I have been corresponding with one of the ladies in that article and not everyone has it so good. Maybe that is partly a function of those who don't want to give up their "own home" be it ever so humble and cold.

I am glad you have such a wonderful situation for your Mother.

[AustinB]

I was of the impression that those apartments were federally funded.

[txmom]

You are right, Elston...she is very fortunate to be in this situation. These heating costs are just outrageous! Our tank is almost empty, so I'm bracing myself for another insanely high bill. Webber is charging 4.059 per gallon of kerosene. They give you a little break if you pay your bill within a few days of the tank being filled, so even with the "prompt payment" discount, we're talking close to $1000. With two little kids to feed, it's hard to come up with that kind of $$$ mid-month, so I guess we won't get the discount. We've been keeping the thermostat set on 64 during the day, and 60 at night. We plug in an electric heater in the kid's bedroom.

[Submariner]

I have not seen the inside of those apartments, though I have known one fellow who did live in one.

The housing authority does take their no smoking laws very seriously.

Do not smoke anywhere on that property. One of our VFW post members was booted from his Marsh Island apartment when he was caught smoking in his car. [which was really dumb on his part, as the VFW post is really close by, and he was welcome to come smoke at the bar]. But he is a WWI vet and crotchety.

I am glad to hear that your MIL likes it.

She is also very close to the monthly meat raffles held at the VFW.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by elston

I do remember an article about the elderly up in Machias, in fact I have been corresponding with one of the ladies in that article and not everyone has it so good. Maybe that is partly a function of those who don't want to give up their "own home" be it ever so humble and cold.

Leaving their own homes is very difficult. I'm watching a man in town struggle to get through what he knows is his last winter in his home. Next summer or fall depending on when there's an opening, he'll be moving into Peabody Estates. There are safe, warm places to live based on income if the elderly poor can be convinced to leave their homes. It's a tough decision.

[txmom]

Originally Posted by AustinB

I was of the impression that those apartments were federally funded.

You are right, the congregate services are federally funded, as well as the housing. My mother-in-law has lived in Section 8 housing before (in Texas), but she paid her own electric bill there. At Marsh Island the electric is included in her rent, which is a godsend for elderly on fixed incomes. I can't imagine her having to pay a $300+ monthly bill for electric heat. I'm thinking that maybe some of the funding for the utilities comes from the State of Maine (but I could be wrong). Maybe I should rephrase my post: "the United States of America seems to take very good care of its elderly citizens."

Taken from the HUD website: Multifamily Housing - Program Description - HUD (broken link)
"The Congregate Housing Services Program offers grants to States, units of general local government, public housing authorities (PHAs), tribally designated housing entities (TDHES), and local nonprofit housing sponsors to provide meals and other supportive services needed by frail elderly residents and residents with disabilities in federally subsidized housing. It is a project-based-rather than a tenant-based-program.

Purpose:
This program prevents premature and unnecessary institutionalization of frail elderly, nonelderly disabled, and temporarily disabled persons; provides a variety of innovative approaches for the delivery of meals and nonmedical supportive services while making use of existing service programs; fills gaps in existing service systems; and ensures availability of funding for meals and other programs necessary for independent living. An earlier CHSP program, created by the Congregate Housing Services Act of 1978, continues to receive funding on the same basis as the current program."

[txmom]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

She is also very close to the monthly meat raffles held at the VFW.

I've been thinking about taking her over to the VFW for a visit. She used to be in the Ladies' Auxiliary at the Old Town VFW in her younger days. She would probably enjoy it

[AustinB]

"But he is a WWI vet and crotchety"

A WWI vet that still drives his own car really has nothing to be crotchety about. Power to him.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by txmom

I've been thinking about taking her over to the VFW for a visit. She used to be in the Ladies' Auxiliary at the Old Town VFW in her younger days. She would probably enjoy it

Most of the ladies have lifetime memberships, your MIL may still be a member.

We just missed the monthly meat raffle, but I personally invite you then to next month's meat raffle.

Bring your MIL and I will buy you both a drink.

It is not often that the chaplain there buys anyone a drink.