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He has health, if not wealth Larry Haubner turned 105 this week, but faces an uncertain future Date published: 6/16/2007
BY JIM HALL Larry Haubner did everything right. He worked hard, lived clean and saved his money. And he has had a long and happy life to show for it. But now his good health has become a liability. Those who care about him are worried. At 105, he has outlived his savings and may have to move. "I am genuinely concerned that what is now a very healthy 105-year-old will meet his demise in a nursing home," said Carol Ewing, who holds his power of attorney. "We're all trying to figure a way where that won't happen." Haubner's uncertain future added a poignancy to his birthday celebration this week at Greenfield Senior Living Center at Fredericksburg, his home in southern Stafford County. On Wednesday afternoon, Haubner sat at the head of the table in the community room, surrounded by the staff and 35 residents. He wore a birthday hat and yellow polo shirt that the staff had bought for him. He heard little of what was said, because of poor hearing, but he enjoyed the cupcakes and ice cream. "I don't know why you're making such a big fuss over me," he said. "I was just lucky. It wasn't IQ." Haubner has lived at the assisted-living center for almost three years. Prior to that, he lived alone in an apartment in Fredericksburg. For years, he was one of the city's curiosities, the singing bicyclist, a tenor on two wheels. But in December 2004, two cars were racing and one of them cut him off, he said. He banged against the curb and went sprawling onto the sidewalk. "I laid on the curb for a while," he said. He injured his knee and was taken to the emergency room. Later, when a physical therapist visited his apartment, she was alarmed at the way he was living. She called the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services, where a social worker arranged to move him to Greenfield. Haubner brought almost nothing with him to Greenfield. So the staff collected furniture from their own homes and used their own money to buy him clothes. Dr. Robert Prasse, a Locust Grove physician, volunteered to monitor his health. Ewing, from Bridges, a senior-care company, agreed to help with his finances.
Read more stories about Stafford Date published: 6/16/2007
We ARE a home care agency, and 24 hr care is attainable, once criteria are met and a good "match" is made. This gentleman is one in literally millions in the USA. He is not alone. Nor is he the first such case, and he will NOT be the last.To make every out-of-pocket dollar stretch to the max, home care is cheaper than facility care, but in any case (private pay, or isurance) difficult to staff 24/7. Note the word difficult......not impossible.
It is easy to speculate the wrongdoings of Fred DSS but very important to do the research prior to doing so. Services were in place in the home but it was determined that he was not safe in his own home. Agencies such as DSS go with the least restrictive option FIRST! Without support of neighbors, friends, family, there is little an agency can do when it is determined that someone needs 24 hour care. Please contact your local DSS for more information on services so that you can become educated.
Hopefull DSS will go on the Veteran's Admin. web site and apply for help for this gentleman! They probably will not supplement his income to allow him to stay at the current assited living center, (not allowed), but they SHOULD be able to supplement his income enough to get him back into an apartment like the ones at Madonna House, where he can get daily help as well, also paid by the V.A. His money would have lasted MUCH longer,had he stayed where he was and reced.help!
One thing NOT stated in this article, MEDICAID and MEDICARE does not cover "assited living care" for anyone, not just this gentleman. He should have stayed in his own home as long as possible, especially with so litle money. What about domiciliary care for veterans, in Martinsburg, West Virginia? Is THAT a possible option in HIS case? This is a tragedy, to live 105 years, and suddenly have no where to live! It is a disgrace in our nation! We "find" homes and help for illegals, but not a veteran?
where he seems comfortable and happy. With all the money spent on illegals and money sent overseas, it is time to take care of our own. I wish I had the money to keep him there.
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