CHANGINGTHEWAYPEOPLETHINKABOUTRETIREMENT
Our
Background
 Introducing
Our Parent
By
Ann Middaugh
Written
for the Nor'easter
Summer
2001
WE are indebted to our parent organization,
Lathrop Home, for our existence today. In 1984, a centennial celebration
of Lathrop Home, which was started as a haven for single women
with limited resources and no family support, took place with
great public festivities. In 1884, Clara Lathrop saw this social
need and came to the rescue by founding the " Lathrop Home
for Indigent and Invalid Women". Throughout the 20th Century
many changes took place in the home. The most significant was
the licensing by the State of Lathrop Home as a Level IV facility
in the mid-70's, under the leadership of Nellie Jordan, president
of the 30 member Board of Managers.
My own participation began
in 1978 and lasted until 1992. When asked to join the board, I
stipulated that I would do so only if there was some way to use
my nursing background. [Editor's note: Ann has a Masters' degree
in nursing from Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio.] Indeed, there
was a need, and at my second board meeting I found myself to be
the lone member and, by default, the chair of the Health Committee.
Within a few months the State inspector conducted a biennial review
for compliance with regulations for relicensing. Her list of requirements
was three pages long, a major challenge! Non-compliance was not
an option. We met the challenge and complied.
In1980 there were only
twelve certified geriatricians (MD's) in the entire country.
Gerontology, the scientific
study of the processes and phenomena of aging, was becoming a
new medical specialty. We were fortunate to have had access to
several workshops as well as an excellent symposium at the VA
Hospital. The special needs of older people were being recognized.
Four essential underpinnings that we all need to sustain personal
well being were identified.
1. Home - a place where
one belongs and feels safe.
2. Health.
3. Social - contact with
people, family, friends.
4. Economic - financial
security.
The loss of any one support
takes a toll on personality. The loss of additional props can
be devastating.
With these needs in
mind coupled with the desire of the Lathrop Home Board to create
a tangible memorial to commemorate the Centennial, the Home's
Long-Range Planning Committee commissioned a study completed in
mid-1980 that provided the framework for the development of the
new community in Northampton.
We were able to build the insights
and knowledge about aging that we had garnered into the design
of our communities. The following priority list was given to Dick
Joslin, the architect: create neighborhoods, access to out-of-doors,
no barriers to mobility, cathedral ceiling, uniform heat, vapor
barriers to protect floors from the cold seeping through, protection
of the retina by matte surfaces, incandescent lighting, prevention
of accidental falls by raising electric outlets, install lower
drawers in kitchen rather than shelves, wider doorways (36"),
two bedrooms and two baths for guests and outside help if needed.
These features were non-negotiable. I have to admit that we gave
in reluctantly on other items.
It took a loan of $250,000
from Lathrop Home's endowment to make our community a reality.
What we enjoy today is in keeping with the same sense of mission
that gave rise to the original Home in 1884 - providing for a
pressing social need that was being neglected. Clara Lathrop 's
example set the stage, 100 years later, for our two independent
communities. There is a big difference however - admission to
the Home required that the "lady" have a black dress
and a pair of white gloves and be a Protestant! Vive la différence!
Anne is a resident and
active member of the Northampton Lathrop Community
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