HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-29-1983 CITY COUNCIL AGENDAC' lc� QIEC EWEDD
DWIGHT M. BISSELL M.D. MAY 0 2 1983
F'
P. O. BOX 122 '
SARATOGA
CA 95070
Dear Mayor Callon:
For several years I have been aware of
the need of day care for our frail elderly citizens, both
as a committee member under Lillian Wurtze:l of the Council
On Aging and working experience at the Westgate Convalescent
Center. I talked with Mildred Gordon some time ago about
this particular need for Saratoga, and a survey was made.
We recognize that it does not involve hundreds of people,
but those in need have no spokesman to plead. for assistance
except in rare instances.
When I was working at Westgate Convalescent
Center I found that even though they were given very good.
care the patients almost invariably said that they "wanted
to be at home ". Circumstances are such that not all patients
can be at home, but if day care could be provided many
patients whom I saw could have 'lived at home. In addition to
making the patients happier and. more comfortable with day
care it would save the family or taxpayers a :Lot of money.
I was told recently that Medicaid now costs the taxpayers
36.00 per day per family.
At the time that the day care project was
discussed in Saratoga the difficulty was that we did not
have a person trained to meet day care needs. Los Gatos
has found such a person in Mrs. Marion Kohn who directs the
program and tzains volunteers who have agreed to work at
the Live Oak Adult Day Care Center.
It is true that Saratoga has been very gene-
rous to i.taasenior citizens as evidenced by the new building
and f acilities to which we gladly contributed. The new
center has met many needs of senior citizens , but individuals
needing day care are not heard. We're not asking that funds
be taken away from the Saratoga Center, but that a contribution
to the Los Gatos Center be made.
Some of us are already involved in Los Gatos.
Five members of the Board of Directors are residents of Sara-
toga. Also some of the people connected with the Florence Nel-
son Park Project are aware of the need for day care facilities.
Please give consideration to the request for
funding from the Live Oak Adult Day Care Center. It will be
greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
C.C. Iii:Ldred Gordon VW