Granby Living Feb2020

A Monthly Magazine Connecting Granby's Neighbors & Businesses
Granby Living
FEBRUARY 2020
Photo by
Amy Geigner
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
Granby Real Estate...7
Teacher Appreciation...8
Granby History...9
Calendar of Events...10
Celebrating Our Seniors...12
THE LAWTON FAMILY
Family Traditions Play
Key Role For Lawtons

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE
PLUMBING / HEATING / COOLING
Jason Brusa
Beacon Mechanical Service
860-844-0111
jbrusa@beaconmechanical.com
URGENT CARE / OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE
Dr. Stephen A. Kei, M.D.
The Doctors Treatment Center
860-653-2382
www.urgentcarecentersct.com
FAMILY / COSMETIC / PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Dr. Kenneth Endres
Salmon Brook Dental
860-653-4551
salmonbrookdental@hotmail.com
SENIOR LIVING / HEALTH CARE
Christine M. Looby
The Mercy Community
860-570-8400
clooby@mchct.org
REAL ESTATE
Judy Guarco
Berkshire Hathaway NE Properties
861-651-2127
jguarco@bhhsne.com
INSURANCE
Daniel Hess
Southwick Insurance Agency, Inc.
413-569-5541
dhess@southwickinsagency.com
To learn more about becoming an Expert Contributor, contact ANTHONY SERINO at tserino@bestversionmedia.com or 860-305-4065
Capture Life’s Precious Moments
A brighter smile for your whole family
Kenneth E.
Endres DDS
Providing
State-of-the-Art
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PUBLICATION TEAM
Publisher | Anthony Serino
Content Coordinator | Bruce Deckert
Designer | Marcus Hardaway
Contributing Photographer | Amy Geigner
ADVERTISING
Contact | Anthony Serino
Phone | 860-305-4065
Email | tserino@bestversionmedia.com
CONTENT SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Content Due:
Edition Month:
January 25................................................................March
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are the 25th of each month. Go to www bestversionmedia.com
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and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent
the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality,
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©2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
It's hard to believe we're already into the second month of the new year. Is it
me, or does time seem to be passing more quickly these days?
2020 promises to be a momentous year with the upcoming presidential
election of key importance. I believe the strength of our nation is built upon the
basic goodness of our citizens. No matter what your political beliefs are, I hope
we can all agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion and that we should treat
each other with respect and kindness.
As the Good Book says: Love covers a multitude of sins. Let's all strive to treat
our fellow citizens and neighbors as we would treat members of our own family.
With this February issue we feature the Lawton family. Bob and Sue Lawton
are longtime Granby residents — for more than three decades — who happily
raised their three children in town.
We continue our Teacher Appreciation series with a profile of Katie Busbey,
Enrichment Coach at Wells Road Intermediate School. Katie's love for children
shines through in the enthusiasm she fosters in her students.
Also in this issue, Expert Contributor Christine Looby offers practical
guidance about the options available for seniors.
I'll close with a sincere thank-you to our entire publication team, including
Bruce Deckert, Amy Geigner, Marcelle Hockers, Ken Kuhl, Sarah Merrill and
others. I also want to extend my gratitude to the many advertising sponsors who
make this magazine possible.
Sincerely,
Anthony Serino, Publisher
tserino@bestversionmedia.com | 860-305-4065
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2 | FEBRUARY 2020 GRANBY LIVING | 3

RESIDENT FEATURE
THE LAWTON FAMILY
Family traditions play key
role for Lawtons
By Bruce Deckert
Photos by Amy Geigner
Additional photos supplied by family
Bob and Susan Lawton moved to Granby more than three decades ago and
raised their three children here — and the family's connection to town remains
strong today.
Their oldest son Eric (36 years old) lives in Granby. Kurt and his wife Kelley also live
in Granby, and Cherie lives in East Granby. Kurt and Cherie are twins (33 years old).
The family settled in North Granby in 1986, and since 2013 Bob and Susan have
resided in Granby proper. Family traditions helped the Lawtons build relationships as the
children grew.
"We walk in McLean [Game
Refuge] often and appreciate the
beautiful trails through the forest
that are available to us living
here." — Susan Lawton
They have four grandchildren: Eric has
Callie (12), Cherie has Blake (8) and Kurt and
Kelley have Max (5) and Lucy (3).
Bob was born in Hartford, and Susan in New
Brunswick, N.J., but Granby is clearly home
now: "I love the small-town feel, the beauty and
the people," Susan says. "We walk in McLean
[Game Refuge] often and appreciate the beautiful
trails through the forest that are available to
us living here."
If one thing about the town could be
changed, Bob pinpoints a time-honored culprit:
"The taxes, of course!"
Bob, who had an apprenticeship in toolmaking
at Windsor High, is an owner and
vice president of CBS Manufacturing in East
Granby. The company specializes in precision
aerospace components. In his free time, he
enjoys skiing, boating and motorcycle riding.
Susan is a floral designer who has worked
in florist shops from Texas to New York to
Connecticut — in Hartford, North Granby and
Simsbury. She relishes knitting, art, boating
and crafts of all kinds.
Given the common denominator on their
hobby lists — boating — perhaps it’s no
surprise that the Lawtons have a Meridian 441
boat docked in Mystic, Conn.
"We motor to Block Island, Martha’s
Vineyard and Nantucket," Susan says. "We
have goals of taking it to Maine someday, and
Florida via the intracoastal waterway."
Charting a course for the high seas is a
preferred family pastime: "Our favorite trips are
bareboat sailing in the British Virgin Islands,"
Bob says. "We rent a catamaran and sail to six
to eight islands in the Caribbean."
"I love the small-town feel, the
beauty and the people."
— Susan Lawton
On another trip to visit friends in Switzerland,
they toured Italy, France and Germany.
Back in Granby, two anecdotes capture what
the Lawtons love about their hometown.
"As a young mom of infant twins and a
3-year-old, I was exhausted," Susan recalls. "One
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
"We skied as a family all over New England when the kids were growing up,"
Susan says.
Bob was a key part of another cherished activity.
"We had Dads campout," he says. "One night every summer the Dads would pitch a
tent at one house in the neighborhood. That night we’d have all the usual camp activities,
and then in the morning we'd cook a big breakfast outside for everyone, including
the Moms."
Susan notes, "Everyone loved that weekend and the kids never wanted to miss it."
Bob (61) and Susan (60) were high school sweethearts — they met in study hall at
Windsor High School in Connecticut and married in 1979.
"We had our honeymoon in Aruba," Susan says, "and went back this year to celebrate
our 40th anniversary."
4 | FEBRUARY 2020 GRANBY LIVING | 5

REAL ESTATE STATS
RECENTLY SOLD IN GRANBY
Granby Real Estate page is sponsored by Santa Realty
ADDRESS TOWN LIST PRICE SALE PRICE BEDS TOTAL BATHROOMS # OF ROOMS SQ FT
49 Cider Mill Heights Granby $569,900 $540,000 4 2 Full & 2 Half 9 3,898
14 Baycrest Dr. Granby $469,900 $481,000 3 3 Full 8 3,798
27 Hillyer Way Granby $449,900 $457,500 4 3 Full & 1 Half 9 4,263
14 Morningside Dr. Granby $379,500 $360,000 4 3 Full & 1 Half 8 3,462
1 Copper Brook Circle Granby $299,900 $305,000 4 2 Full & 1 Half 9 2,122
79 Wells Rd. Granby $299,900 $300,000 3 2 Full 7 1,879
7 Evergreen Dr. Granby $294,900 $282,500 3 2 Full & 2 Half 9 2,975
76 Canal Rd. Granby $279,900 $275,000 4 2 Full & 1 Half 7 1,536
20 Duncaster Wood Granby $275,000 $273,000 4 3 Full 8 2,045
206 Simsbury Rd. Granby $249,000 $265,000 2 2 Full & 1 Half 4 1,770
43 Quarry Rd. Granby $259,900 $245,000 4 1 Full & 1 Half 7 1,504
83 Northwoods Rd. Granby $199,900 $199,000 4 1 Full & 1 Half 8 2,022
32 Old Stagecoach Rd. Granby $159,000 $157,000 4 2 Full & 1 Half 7 2,293
Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the real estate community in the area. Any real estate agent's ad
appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
"We had Dads campout. One night every
summer the Dads would pitch a tent at one
house in the neighborhood." — Bob Lawton
day, while waiting for a haircut at JD’s [Barber
Shop in Granby] for Eric, the babies started
crying. A man with a crewcut offered to help
me. He took Cherie — she fit in one of his
hands — and fed her with the other hand. ... I
was so surprised and grateful for this stranger's
kindness. That’s the kind of town Granby is!"
On another occasion, Susan remembers a
late fall soccer practice at Salmon Brook Park.
"It started snowing hard," she says. "A group
of horses and riders came trotting by. The
sight of the kids in shorts running around
with rosy cheeks and the beautiful horses and
the snow took my breath away. I thought —
only in Granby!"
6 | FEBRUARY 2020 GRANBY LIVING | 7

TEACHER APPRECIATION
KATIE BUSBEY
Granby resident Katie Busbey invests in town students
Compiled by Bruce Deckert
Enrichment Coach —
Grades 3-5, all subjects
Wells Road Intermediate School
FEBRUARY
Calendar of Events
Began teaching — 2005
Began teaching in Granby — 2012
Career history — I graduated from Loyola
University with a business degree in 2003. I
worked at an advertising agency for one year
before deciding that was not the right fit for
me. I graduated from Boston College in 2005
with a master’s degree in curriculum and
instruction and began teaching in Mesquite,
Texas. I taught 5th grade in Texas for seven
years before moving back north to be closer to
family. (I grew up in Wilton, Conn.) I started in
Granby in 2012 as the Math Coach at Kelly Lane
Primary School. When Kelly and Wells merged,
I became the Enrichment Coach.
What motivated you to pursue a teaching
career?
Most of my high school and college jobs involved
working with kids in some way (babysitting,
camp counselor, lifeguard). After deciding
the business world was not for me, I decided
to pursue a teaching career and get back to an
atmosphere where children were the focus.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your
work as a teacher?
I love how excited students are to be presented
with a challenge. They know when they come
to my office to work on math, reading or writing
that their work will not be perfect the first
time. Watching them take feedback and keep
working until they are successful, that’s the
best!
What do you enjoy most about working with
young people?
Talking with students is my favorite part of every
day. Kids love getting to share their stories
and questions and I love getting to hear them.
Recently, I had a group of 3rd-grade students
talking with each other about their families and
where they came from. They asked each other
such genuine questions about their lives, and
it was amazing to listen to them build relationships
with each other through conversation.
What is the biggest impediment to student
success today? How can teachers help students
overcome this obstacle and succeed?
Students need to learn that mistakes are OK.
I tell all of my students that I expect them
to make mistakes because that’s how they
will learn and grow. Anyone who works with
children needs to celebrate mistakes, not
just successes.
Please share a brief anecdote that gives a
glimpse of your work in education:
About six years ago we began enrichment clusters.
Facilitating them has been a key component
in my role as Enrichment Coach. We have
grown clusters from 10 offerings per session to
25-30. Students can learn about topics from
origami to stop-motion animation to community
service. Often students take these learning
experiences and continue exploring them
outside of school. Students describe this time
as “really fun” and “the best part of the week.”
Being able to facilitate and organize and support
this student opportunity is exciting, and I
am so happy to see how it has grown.
Family — My family and I live in Granby. My
husband, Austin, is a teacher in Avon. We have
three children: Patrick is 9, Abbie is 6, and
Henry is 3.
Age — 38
CONCERT: RYAN MONTBLEAU
Friday, February 7
@Infinity Hall, Norfolk
As a part of his Winter Solo Tour, Vermont folk singer-songwriterguitarist
Ryan Montbleau delivers new music from his newest
album, Woodstock Sessions. Reviewers have praised his “poetic
Americana” and compared his “eloquent, soulful songwriting” to
Bill Withers and James Taylor, while the Boston Herald raves that
“he’s made a career of confident, danceable positivity.
Time: 8 pm
Cost: $29 - $39
www.infinityhall.com/Events/
CONCERT: BIG EYED PHISH
(DAVE MATTHEWS TRIBUTE)
Saturday, February 8
@Infinity Hall, Hartford
Big Eyed Phish is a full, seven-piece Dave Matthews tribute band.
From Rochester, N.Y., Big Eyed Phish has become a highly soughtafter
headlining act for festivals, resorts, casinos and live music
venues. Performing together for eight years, the band covers the
full spectrum of the Dave Matthews Band catalog.
Time: 8 pm
Cost: $24 - $34
www.infinityhall.com/Events/
SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR BOOK CLUB
First Monday of month — call to confirm
@Granby Public Library
Call 860-844-5275 to register and for more info. Copies of books
are available at the library.
Time: Call 844-5275
Cost: FREE
www.granby-ct.gov/granby-public-library-system
AROUND THE WORLD BOOK CLUB
Third Monday of month — call to confirm
@Granby Public Library
Call 860-844-5275 to register and for more info. Copies of books
are available at the library.
Time: Call 844-5275
Cost: FREE
www.granby-ct.gov/granby-public-library-system
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Wednesdays — call to confirm
@Granby Public Library
All ages can drop in and enjoy a family-friendly film. We'll provide
the popcorn! Call for movie titles. No registration needed.
Time: Call 844-5275
Cost: FREE
www.granby-ct.gov/granby-public-library-system
SCI FI / FANTASY BOOK CLUB
Last Wednesday of month — call to confirm
@Granby Public Library
Call 860-844-5275 to register and for more info. Copies of books
are available at the library.
Time: Call 844-5275
Cost: FREE
www.granby-ct.gov/granby-public-library-system
OPEN MIC NIGHT IN THE BISTRO
Every Thursday
@Infinity Hall, Norfolk
Whether you like to listen to great music or are an aspiring
performer, join us on Thursdays to enjoy local talent. Performers
sign up after 7 p.m. A few artists will be chosen to compete in our
Big Stage Competition and play an opening act at an Infinity Hall
concert.
Time: 8 pm
www.infinityhall.com/Events/
CASUAL BIKERS: UPCOMING EVENTS
Throughout the month
@Various locations
Check the Casual Bikers website for details about weekend and
weekday bike rides all month long.
Cost: FREE
www.meetup.com/Casual-Bikers/events/calendar/
8 | FEBRUARY 2020 GRANBY LIVING | 9

GRANBY HISTORY
THIS MONTH IN GRANBY HISTORY
By Ken Kuhl
February 1971 — Way back in my Minnesota
school days of the 1950s, February was an
important month because it included not just
Valentine’s Day but two holidays for which
public schools were closed: Lincoln’s Birthday
(February 12) and Washington’s Birthday (February
22). Two school-free days for the kids,
two days off for working parents, and terrific
bargains at the department store “white sales.”
What wasn’t to like about February?
Nowadays, though, whether you’re an employee
or a student, there’s a single holiday that
falls on the third Monday in February, which is
neither Lincoln’s nor Washington’s birthday but
some hybrid known as Presidents’ Day. What
happened to our traditional February holidays?
And what exactly are we commemorating on
Presidents’ Day?
Some of us think we’re observing George
Washington’s birthday, some of us think we’re
celebrating the combined birthdays of George
Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and some
of us think we’re honoring the memory of all
U.S. presidents past and present. Which is it?
In 1880, Washington's birthday was first celebrated
as a holiday in the District of Columbia.
It was made a federal holiday in 1885. The
holiday was originally held on the anniversary
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Who is Presidents’ Day for?
of George Washington's birth on February 22.
The concept of combining Washington’s and
Lincoln’s birthdays into one holiday called
Presidents’ Day was floated as far back as the
early 1950s.
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In 1968, initial efforts to implement a Uniform
Holidays Bill proposed moving the observance
of Washington’s Birthday to the third Monday
in February and renaming the holiday Presidents’
Day. The 1971 version of the bill passed,
combining the days, but the official designation
of the federal holiday was and remains Washington’s
birthday. In Connecticut, the third
Monday in February is also celebrated as just
So far, so good. The date of observance of
Washington’s birthday might have been
tinkered with a bit, but the holiday was still
undeniably “Washington’s Birthday.” So, what
happened to Lincoln’s birthday?
Although it has never been designated as a
federal holiday, “Lincoln's Birthday” is a legal,
public holiday in some U.S. states, celebrating
the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth
on February 12, 1809. Connecticut is one of
the few states that still remembers Lincoln’s
birthday. However, most states, including Minnesota,
do not celebrate it anymore.
Black History Month has its origin in 19thcentury
celebrations of Lincoln's birthday by
African-American communities in the United
States. By the early 20th century, black communities
were annually celebrating Lincoln's
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birthday in conjunction with the birthday of
former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass
on February 14.
So, in February, when we celebrate Presidents’
Day, it appears we can celebrate one, two or all
the presidents, and also find the best car deals
of all time!
WORLD
February 2, 1971 — Idi Amin ousts Milton
Obote and appoints himself president of
Uganda.
UNITED STATES
February 9, 1971 — An earthquake ravages
San Francisco.
GRANBY
261 Salmon Brook Street
Granby, CT 06035
860.653.5222
CONNECTICUT
1971 — The Capitol building in Hartford was
designated a National Historic Landmark in
1971. — Ken Kuhl is a member of the Salmon-
Brook Historical Society in Granby.
NEW BRITAIN
25 Arch Street
New Berlin, CT 06051
860.223.4900
10 | FEBRUARY 2020 GRANBY LIVING | 11

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS
MARILYN SPONZO
Through life’s twists and turns, resident Marilyn Sponzo
discovers a calling
By Sarah Merrill
At an age when many are looking toward
retirement, Granby’s Marilyn Sponzo has discovered
a calling and is passionately pursuing
her second career.
Marilyn was born in West Hartford in
December 1953 and grew up in the Buena
Vista neighborhood.
“I was part of that post-baby boom generation,
when families were just moving out to the
suburbs,” she says. “Mom was a homemaker
and Dad was a lawyer. I had a typical 1950s
childhood. I played with my neighbors — this
was when kids still played outside in our yards.”
Marilyn has one sister, Anne Cappelli, who
lives in North Granby with her husband Tony
and two children, Lizzy and Angela.
“I wanted a sibling for so long and finally,
when I was 10, she came along,” Marilyn says.
After graduating from high school, Marilyn
attended Smith College, a private women's
liberal arts school in Northampton, Mass.,
graduating in 1975.
“What I most loved was the opportunity
to just be my smartest self, without worrying
about social expectations,” she says. “I went to
law school seven years later and even then —
almost a decade later — I found that women
were more hesitant to raise their hand in class.
Celebrating Our Seniors is sponsored by McLean
They would express themselves in less certain
terms, while men were much more assertive.”
Marilyn majored in American studies, a
new discipline at that time. “I was convinced I
wanted to move to New York City and become
the next greatest theater critic,” she observes.
“I have always loved theater. Of course, this
didn’t happen. The closest I got was working
at the Hartford Stage Company and then at
the Bushnell Performing Arts Center for a few
years after college.”
After her mother died in 1981, Marilyn
says she reassessed her life goals and decided
to pursue a law degree at the University of
Connecticut. “My skills and natural inclinations
were just so suitable for law, and I really
enjoyed it,” she says.
From 1987-2006 Marilyn worked in securities
law for Mass Mutual. “In short, I tried to
make 4,000 stockbrokers comply with the law,”
she explains. “It truly was fascinating and challenging
work.”
At Mass Mutual, she met her husband Doug
Hertz, who grew up outside of Philadelphia.
“When we met I was a young lawyer and Doug
was the head honcho tax actuary,” says Marilyn.
“I was at work one Saturday, playing Don
Giovanni on a cassette tape in my office. Doug,
who loves classical music, came into my office
Marilyn and her dog Sammie
to see where the music was coming from —
and that’s how it began!”
They were married in 2001.
When she left Mass Mutual in ’06, Marilyn
went to work for a Washington, D.C. law firm,
and then in 2013 she decided to retire from
law: “It was a challenging and fun career, but it
was time to move on.” Although at age 60 she
wasn’t ready to be a retiree, Marilyn and Doug’s
life had gotten complicated, as Doug was diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011.
“This journey with Doug has really opened
my eyes, in so many ways,” says Marilyn.
Marilyn with Doug Hertz biking
through Bordeaux, 2002
“There’s a really unfortunate stigma around the
disease and people generally don’t know how to
respond to people with Alzheimer’s. But someone
with Alzheimer’s isn’t gone, and they don’t
have a communicable disease. The stigma is
very hard on caretakers — it can be extremely
isolating.”
She adds, “We need to embrace the idea
that Alzheimer’s is part of life and more
gracefully deal with it.” Indeed, it’s predicted
that by 2050 the number of Americans with
Alzheimer’s will triple.
Marilyn says it takes serious initiative to
build a care team, and to also remember to
take care of your own needs. She mentions
an “incredible” gentleman, Peter Betsch, who
takes care of Doug during the week so she can
pursue her degree toward a second inspiring
career.
After she retired from law in ’13, Marilyn
decided to take a class at Hartford Seminary
on ministry in a multicultural world. “I had a
phenomenal professor, [Sister] Miriam Therese
Winter, one of the most progressive theologians
working, and I basically fell head over heels in
love with the field of theology,” says Marilyn.
She began pursuing her
master’s degree but decided
that she wanted to
be ordained. In order to
earn the specific degree
she required, Marilyn
transferred to Chicago
Theological Seminary,
studying online. She is
still attending school
remotely.
“Online learning may
have once been considered
fluff, but that is
completely not the case,”
Marilyn says. “In fact, in some ways I think
it’s more rigorous. You don’t have the opportunity
to slink under the radar at the back of
the room. It’s a lot of work.”
Marilyn is in the midst of completing
a yearlong field placement at McLean, an
independent and assisted living community
in Simsbury. “It is such a privilege to be
here,” she says. “The seniors I work with have
taught me so much about aging with grace,
dignity and courage. But in the process,
I’ve also learned a lot about the ageism that
infects our culture today.”
When she completes her degree, with a
goal of spring 2021, Marilyn hopes to work
with the elderly in a chaplaincy or pastoral
care role. “It really is my calling,” she says.
Marilyn moved to Granby in ’95, before
she got married, when her condo began to
feel too small for her two rescued greyhounds
and two cats (Lord and Taylor).
Over the years, Marilyn and Doug have
adopted seven greyhounds, one beagle mix
and four cats, and currently have two dogs:
Samantha, aka Dr. Destructo, and a greyhound
named Juno.
In their beautiful spot in North Granby,
Marilyn and Doug have plenty of room
and a yard for the dogs. Marilyn calls their
woodsy yard “a sanctuary.”
In addition to Marilyn’s sister’s family, one of
Doug’s two children lives here in Granby, the
other in Hartford. “And we have two beautiful
grandchildren,” says Marilyn. “It’s incredibly
nice to have our family close by.”
Marilyn’s other family, she says, is her church
in Granby: “First Church gives me a real sense
of faith family and a strong tie to the town.”
“I do love the closeness of the Granby community,”
she says. “I love that I run into friends
everywhere — although having lived here for
only 25 years, I still feel like a newbie!”
Sarah Merrill is a personal historian based in
Granby. She works with individuals and families
to capture and record their personal memoirs
and family histories. Visit her website at www.
memoirsbymerrill.com
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McLean’s award-winning health care services, means you
can enjoy today, knowing that tomorrow is taken care of.
Learn more about our exciting expansion by calling
860-658-3908 or visit ExploreMcLean.org.
75 Great Pond Road | Simsbury, CT 06070
A Life Plan Community
NEW YEAR . . .
NEW BEGINNINGS!
CALL ME IF YOU ARE
CONSIDERING BUYING OR
SELLING YOUR HOME!
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of Realtors
Call or text
(860) 490-2090
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12 | FEBRUARY 2020 GRANBY LIVING | 13

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275 Steele Road, West Hartford
TheMcAuley.org • 860-920-6319
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
ROADMAP FOR THE JOURNEY:
Navigating options in senior living
At an age when many are looking toward
retirement, Granby’s Marilyn Sponzo has discovered
a calling and is passionately pursuing
her second career.
Marilyn was born in West Hartford in
December 1953 and grew up in the Buena Vista
neighborhood.
“I was part of that post-baby boom generation,
when families were just moving out to the
suburbs,” she says. “Mom was a homemaker
and Dad was a lawyer. I had a typical 1950s
childhood. I played with my neighbors — this
was when kids still played outside in our yards.”
Marilyn has one sister, Anne Cappelli, who
lives in North Granby with her husband Tony
and two children, Lizzy and Angela.
a No matter how much education or experience
we have, the world of senior health care
can, at times, seem a confusing web of acronyms
and jargon.
When the need to access senior services
arises out of necessity — e.g., recuperation
from a medical incident or surgery, or a cognitive
change that makes living independently
problematic or impossible — it's easy to get
tangled up as we realize we need to help a loved
one make a quick but life-changing decision.
Here is an abbreviated guide to some of the
terms you may wish to keep at your fingertips
as you or someone you love navigates this new
territory:
Independent Living
Those seeking a vibrant, carefree lifestyle
may enjoy an independent living community.
These residences are often smaller than a free-
standing home, with housekeeping, maintenance,
lawn care and snow removal among the
menu of services provided.
In addition, many life plan communities
offer a full array of wellness activities in their
fitness centers, spas, cafes, spiritual centers and
outdoor leisure trails and courts. You may dine
in formal and/or informal venues and take in
performances, lectures and cultural events on
site. Often, transportation services are available
if you do not wish to drive to off-site attractions
and events.
Costs vary widely for independent living
communities, depending on whether you select
low-income or subsidized senior housing,
senior congregate housing or life plan communities,
which offer myriad senior living and
health care options.
Assisted Living
Seniors who require a bit more assistance
with some of the tasks of daily living (e.g.,
dressing, grooming, doing laundry) might
research the benefits of assisted living.
Again, most assisted living communities encourage
social interaction and have a monthly
calendar chock-full of informative programs
designed to stimulate mind, body and spirit.
Clinicians including nurses, CNAs and social
workers offer support and expertise.
Home Care / Companion Services
For a variety of reasons, some seniors prefer
the idea of bringing caregivers into their
homes. Depending on the agency, services
may include homemaking help, transportation
service, personal care, rehabilitative therapy,
or screenings such as blood pressure checks.
Clients may work with the contractor or
agency to discuss specific needs, set a schedule,
and determine what may be covered by insurance
versus what costs will be out-of-pocket.
Adult Day Centers
To avoid isolation and give family caregivers
respite, some seniors avail themselves of an
adult day center. Transportation from home to
the center and back is often provided as part of
enrollment, and dining and medical services
may be included.
These operations usually run Monday-Friday
and provide a safe environment for adults who
may not be safe at home for extended periods
but who are not yet ready for round-the-clock
comprehensive care.
Skilled Nursing
By Christine M. Looby
If you or a loved one requires care 24 hours
per day, seven days per week, skilled nursing
may be the healthiest, safest option. Overseen
by a medical director and interdisciplinary
team of skilled caregivers, nursing facilities
offer a range of services — including postacute
care; physical, occupational, and speech
therapy; memory care; palliative care; and
hospice care.
While some families pay out-of-pocket for
skilled nursing care, others are assisted through
Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance plans.
For up-to-date quality-of-care rankings, visit
www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/
search.html.
In fact, no matter which solution you believe
to be right for you or your family's needs, be
sure to do your research by visiting communities,
asking questions and determining what
feels like a good fit.
Touch base with an eldercare manager in
your area, and use websites like www.helpguide.org
and www.leadingagect.org to give
you context and confidence.
Christine M. Looby is the regional
executive director of sales, marketing and
communications for Trinity Health of New
England Senior Communities.
14 | FEBRUARY 2020 GRANBY LIVING | 15

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