pafa.net

I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at nursing homes, assisted living centers and senior living centers lately. I’ve seen some wonderful places and some not so wonderful ones. Today, I came across a new concept for skilled nursing homes that blew me away. Green House® homes, skilled nursing homes with a heart.

THE GREEN HOUSE® model creates a small intentional community for a group of elders and staff. It is a place that focuses on life, and its heart is found in the relationships that flourish there…. Its primary purpose is to serve as a place where elders can receive assistance and support with activities of daily living and clinical care, without the assistance and care becoming the focus of their existence… The Green House model is intended to de-institutionalize long-term care by eliminating large nursing facilities and creating habilitative, social settings.

Looking through the photo albums on their web site, these homes really do look like homes and are the polar opposite of what I’ve seen in some nursing homes. Here’s hoping this and similar concepts prove successful and become affordable for all. Dignity in aging. A simple wish.

I’m sorry I had to cancel my T-mobile hotspot account today (and no it had nothing to do with Starbucks canceling their contract with tmobile!). I’ve used T-mobile for nearly 4 years now. Never had any reason to call customer service or support. The service always worked as promised and billing was never a problem. In an attempt to consolidate some of my communications services, I’ve opted for a Verizon broadband card for my laptop, simply because that’s who I have for my cell phone service. Though I did reconsider during the multi week hassle of activating the Verizon card.

Back to T-mobile. When I called them today, I really expected to spend ages canceling the service and to get a barrage of questions and pressure to stay with them. Though they did suggest that I could have used their broadband card for my laptop, the service agent was most pleasant and did not pressure me. The whole process was, in fact, painless! No long phone tree menu of choice after confusing choice to get to the right person. The first person I spoke to was able to help, was friendly and efficient. If ever I need to change services again, T-mobile will be top of the list.

Thank you!

Thanksgiving is almost over here in the US. Like many others, I ate way too much food today and have tons of leftovers. And like many other librarians who have already blogged their thanks, I too have much to be thankful for.

My local newspaper (yes, the paper kind that gets dropped in a puddle on the driveway most days) had an angry letter (more…)