Islanders need to come to the mainland for errands, doctor and dentist appointments, etc., but when an islander cares for a confused loved one or family member, trips to the mainland become difficult.
“Transportation is a hard problem for islanders,” said Ted Hoskins, of Blue Hill, who served the Maine Seacoast Mission for years as pastor to the outer islands, visiting his parishioners on the SUNBEAM. Persuading and then helping someone with dementia to go up or down a steep ramp is difficult to begin with, not to mention convincing the person to climb aboard a rocking boat. It’s a strange situation, out of the norm, and one that can frighten someone with dementia. In view of these problems, Hoskins said most families make a decision to stay or to leave an island.
The Rev. Robert Benson, Pastor to the Outer Islands since 2002, agreed, adding that it’s particularly difficult in winter because islanders have ferry service a couple of times a day to once a month, depending on the island.
He explained, “You’d have to take the mailboat off [the island], get in your car and drive to Ellsworth to do your shopping, pack your car, drive back to the mailboat, schlep all your stuff on to the mailboat, then schlep it off when you get to the island. Even long before someone develops an identifiable disease,” he said, “at some point people raise the question of whether they want to go through that.” He went on, “I love it when they do [decide to stay] because the community pitches in. But if there’s an identified disease process that will be more and more debilitating and also for the caregiver, the logistical challenge becomes almost insurmountable.”
Once Friendship Cottage opens –WHCA hopes by Memorial Day 2007– although there will be a charge based on the caregiver’s ability to pay, some Washington and Hancock County islanders may no longer be forced to make the decision to leave. WHCA’s Tim King, determined to help Hancock and Washington County caregivers, has promised, “We’ll go to the island and pick them up.”
Sharon Dailey of Islesboro, a SUNBEAM nurse, said that for people with dementia, “A change of routine will increase their confusion and anxiety because they don’t feel safe.” But, she added, “If they have this [day care], it would mean they could keep their loved ones in the home longer.”
Until Friendship Cottage opens, Islanders who live in Washington or Hancock County can use the following adult day service centers. All the centers contacted offer participants outings, Bingo and other games, exercise, one or more meals, and help with bathing and meds.
Robert and Mary’s Place, Ellsworth: 667-5449, charges $7.50/hr. Ida Page said, “We are licensed for 20 at a time. We have 19 `friends.’ In Machias, we’re licensed for 12 and have four.” Hours are 9 to 4, and they offer a full lunch.
Robert and Mary’s Place, Machias: 271-0017, charges $7.50/hr. They offer the same services.
Riverside, Cherryfield, 546-3709, charges $10/hr. is licensed for 16 and usually has from 13 to 15 participants per day. Etta Beal said she has some people who live in a group home who come to Riverside during the day. Participants have Down’s syndrome, Mental retardation, and Alzheimer’s.
New Horizons, Calais, 454-3709, although licensed, is inactive.
— Sandra Dinsmore