A letter from John Corry

Dear Friends:

As you probably know, I’m president of Gramatan Village, an organization recently established by some of your neighbors to make available both healthcare and non healthcare services that will help Bronxville area seniors live more comfortably and confidently in their homes.

I know that you haven’t joined Gramatan Village. Perhaps it is because you are perfectly able to fend for yourself and have postponed doing so “until I’m ready.” If so, my recent experience may lead you to reconsider that choice.

Because I’m an officer of Gramatan Village, I naturally became a member. But except for participating in a few of its very enjoyable outings and social events, I’d never used any of its services, and never expected that I would. I ran most errands on foot, walked to church, and did much of the food shopping for Emily and me. So, on June 10, I walked from and to Grand Central to see a matinee performance of “Mary Stuart.”

Six days later, I was in the emergency room at Lawrence Hospital with what was diagnosed as a strangled colon that led to major colostomy surgery, from which I am still recovering. Once the operation was over, I soon realized that while in the hospital and later at home, I was going to need more help than the dedicated and caring Lawrence Hospital nurses could provide. So I called Julie Dalton at Gramatan Village. I soon was explaining my plight to Donna Sylvestri, RN, an experienced Geriatric Care Manger who is a Gramatan Village Community Partner. Donna met with Emily and me and quickly put together a plan to make my recovery as smooth as possible. She assessed the situation and was able to communicate with nursing and medical staff at Lawrence Hospital. She arranged for care while I am at home with a wonderful aide named Patti. Patti and other helpers that Donna has provided have been instrumental to my continuing recovery. It is my Gramatan Village membership that has made this possible.

Gramatan Village also helps its members meet other types of emergencies.

Recently a member called and said, “She was in desperate trouble” because she had unexpectedly become incapacitated due to fluid on her knee. She is the principal caregiver for her husband and runs the household. She now realizes that she cannot handle doing the laundry, cooking and helping her husband. She and her husband already take advantage of Gramatan Village services as a volunteer drives her husband once a week to a medical appointment. Gramatan Village arranged for someone to cook and handle the laundry and have a volunteer who stops by in the evenings from time to time to keep them company.

A member was recently hospitalized and subsequently discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Since she needed additional care, the facility planned on discharging her to a skilled nursing facility 25 miles away. Gramatan Village staff spoke with the discharge planner and told her that it would be a burden on the family to have her so far away since they do not drive. Gramatan Village arranged for our member to be discharged to The Wartburg Adult Care Community, our Community Partner. She received outstanding rehabilitative services for two months and Gramatan Village arranged for volunteers to drive sister to visit 4 times per week.

My example may convince you that seniors like us may never know when they are “ready” for Gramatan Village until it’s too late. What’s important is to join now so if an unexpected crisis arises, Gramatan Village will be “ready’ for you.

Sincerely,

John Corry