HomePorts to Present, “Okay, Now What?” a discussion of the Caregivers’ Guide by local authors Sue Collins and Nancy Robson

“Are you caring for a loved one whose life has been diagnosed as terminal? Are you interested in learning practical, experience-based advice and tips for care and finding the help that is needed? Do you recognize that this can be an isolating experience for the caregiver and person for whom they care?”

These questions and more will be addressed on Wednesday, October 15 at 10 a.m. in the Chestertown Town Hall, 118 N. Cross Street, 2nd floor, for all HomePorts members and the community at large. The program is free.

In their book, Okay, Now What?, the authors provide a chapter-by-chapter guide of beneficial information with objectivity and humor. Sue Collins has been a nurse for 39 years with 29 of them in hospice care. Nancy Robson, the author of three books, has lost both parents and friends. Both know the painful journey of being with a dying person and the blessings they have had along the way.

Planning and being informed prove to be most helpful. Most people are able to handle a situation if they are well prepared and have accurate information.

Sue Collins and Nancy Robson will present information from their book, have books available for signing and/or sale and are willing to answer your questions.

The presentation is sponsored by HomePorts, Inc., the local non-profit aging-in-place membership organization. It provides access to a wide range of services for adults 55 and older to allow them to remain independent in their own residence. A group of vetted volunteers provide help to members and referrals are given of reliable service providers for transportation, maintenance, grocery and household services, personal assistance and trouble shooting. HomePorts partners with Upper Shore Aging, Washington College and the University of Maryland Medical Center. There are a limited number of subsidies for membership available for those with limited means.

Please contact HomePorts’ Executive Director, Karen Wright at 443-480-0940 or email her at [email protected] if you plan to attend.

HomePorts, Inc., the local non-profit aging-in-place organization, has announced Board members and officers for 2014. Cindy Bach, Wayne Benjamin, Jayne Heckles, and Courtney Sjostrom have been newly elected to the Board of Directors.

Cindy Bach is an occupational therapist, and has worked in hospital, rehabilitation, outpatient, skilled nursing, and home-based settings providing direct care and managing programs for over 30 years. She is currently the Executive Director of Chester River Home Care and Hospice where she has worked for the past 13 years. “I see this effort as part of a network of services that connect medical programs, government health agencies, and volunteers to provide the services needed to optimize health and independence of individuals wanting to stay in their own homes and the community,” Bach said.

Originally from Riverhead, NY, Wayne Benjamin completed medical training in Family Medicine at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. For the past 40 years, he has been a family physician in Chestertown. “As the current President of the Chester River Medical Staff, I am focused on improving the quality of care to our local community and increasing the services provided by our medical staff,” he noted.

Jayne Heckles moved to Chestertown in 2011. Professionally she has worked as a Physician’s Assistant and has held many leadership positions in church groups, clubs and volunteer organizations. Before retiring, she worked in the office of a New Jersey symphony.

Courtney Sjostrom of Worton moved to Kent County in 2001. She has worked in training service representatives in the Bell System, as well as in real estate and social work. She directed a nursery school in Wyncote, PA for 20 years and has held positions in the Presbyterian Church as a deacon and elder. In addition, she has worked locally for Shared Opportunity Services.

Jim Donaghy of Rock Hall is in his second year as President, Ann Murray of Chestertown is the Vice-President, Ray Long of Galena is the Treasurer, and Jayne Heckles is the Secretary. Other Board members are Scott Burleson, John Christie, Muriel Cole, Herb Friedman, Sandra Willett Jackson, and John R. Leek.

HomePorts  is a membership organization Helping older adults continue living safely and comfortably in their own homes. Set up by and for local residents, HomePorts is incorporated as a Maryland nonprofit.

Those eligible for membership include anyone over 55 living in the greater Kent County area. HomePorts is modeled after similar organizations operating successfully in other regions of the country. Founding members spent two years studying other such “villages”, which are springing up rapidly in many communities and are cited by experts as the wave of the future. The first one in Boston, known as Beacon Hill Village, has been in operation for over ten years. There are now ten in Maryland.

HomePorts resources include a cadre of vetted volunteers and referrals to reliable service providers in the fields of transportation; interior and exterior home and yard maintenance; grocery & household services; and personal assistance & trouble shooting.  Additionally, HomePorts encourages participation in social, educational, and cultural activities.

HomePorts partners with Upper Shore Aging and the Shore Regional Health System. It offers financial assistance to those with limited incomes.

“The organization definitely fills a need in this community. We are now in our sixth year and have over 100 members. As we have matured, we have learned what members want and need. Many do not yet need help but join in order to support this concept, and when they do have a question or want help, they can just pick up the phone or send a quick note to me,” said Karen Wright, Executive Director. “Our Volunteer Coordinator, Shannon Smulow, or I have a policy of responding very quickly,” she added.

Information is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling 443-480-0940 or go to www.homeports.org. The e-mail address is [email protected].