I became acquainted with Clermont Senior Services in the spring of 1988. My husband had a stroke in January of that year and the doctors had left me with little or no hope that he would ever improve. A friend had given me a newspaper clipping about the GAINS program. I called the number and within a few days I had an appointment to talk with Toni English and Dennis Shinkle and within a few more days my husband was part of the GAINS program.
GAINS was started by the previous director, Lois Brown Dale, who is a great lady but this letter is not about her although I do not mean to slight her.
Through the care and the constant effort of the GAINS staff my husband improved tremendously. The doctors were amazed at his improvement.
Sorry to say, Toni English is no longer a part of Clermont Senior Services nor of the GAINS progrm. Due to budget cuts, they say they are no longer able to pay her salary. It was through her caring and expertise that the GAINS clienets were encouraged to take that first step or to take on a difficult task and to speak out for themselves. It was said that she made the GAINS clients too dependent upon her. What a laugh! What ignorance! She gave GAINS clients dignity and the ability to regain control of their lives where before had only been frustration and hopelessness.
There has not been a new person taken into the GAINS program in over a year. Current GAINS clients are to be mainstreamed into the senior programs. There will be no consideration of their special needs. But, the worst part of this is that no other stroke patients will be given a chance. Toni English will not be there to help them. It would be dangerous with the present staff to continue the GAINS program and would do more harm than good. A special lady would make it work.
Toni, we thank you for your years of excellent service that went far beyond your paycheck. We apologize for the cavalier treatment of the current administration and we damn them for not allowing you to at least say goodbye. You are a special person and we will never forget you.
This seems like the end of the story, but it's not. There is a revolt going on in the senior program. Many of these people depend on the senior buses to bring them and when the buses quit coming they have no way to attend the progams. Many are afraid to speak out as they need senior services to survive.
Prior to 1990, Clermont Senior Services was a place that the elderly of Clermont County could go for hot meals, socializing, or just to talk to the staff or many caring volunteers about their problems. When you walked in the door there were always tables or chairs or something conveniently located so that those who were unsteady would have a place to stop and rest or to hold onto to steady their progress across the room. There were always staff members or volunteers close by to either open the door so that you could get your walker in without difficulty or to just greet you and make known that you were welcome.
If it was your first visit you were taken by the hand and introduced to the others and every effort was made that you did not sit alone. Knowledgeable staff would attempt to place you in a group that shared your interests or problems.
Now, if you walk in the front door, at which no one is present, your first impression is of a great void. Most of the tables and chairs have been removed to give the atmosphere of openness. This for people who are only secure when they are touching a table or chair and many who cannot even see where the tables are. I realize that more seniors are being served with meals than previously through Meals on Wheels and the neighborhood centers. But, programs have been stripped of their feelings of caring. Every program that Clermont Senior Services had that was a thing of pride has been slowly undermined. Caring employees have been terminated either through frustration or firing.
Seniors who were not part of the programs prior to 1990 will not kow of these drastic changes. If you have a relative or friend who was part of the program to 1990 ask them about the changes. Ask them if they are getting the care they got prior to this date. Ask if they are satisfied or would like the programs to be returned as they were before. Or, if they had previously gone to Clermont Senior Services, but have stopped, aske them why. These programs are paid for by taxpayers and are yours to question how your money is being spent.
*Note: Letter written by Sue Long of Moscow. (Hoping things are better now).
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