Page 2 - September Real Estate Guide

Page 2 SENIOR LIVING Polk County Publishing
Polk County
Certified retirement community
By: Barbara White
If you type “retire in Texas” into a search en- gine, you will likely end up on a state website that lists 49 Certi ed Retire- ment Communities. Polk County is on that list... and it’s not an easy list to get on.
There is a rigorous appli-
cation process, one that Alabama-Coushatta In- the program is part of the the summer of 2008.
Todd Staples, who was then Texas Agriculture Commissioner, came to town to make it of cial.
He stressed that being an attractive place for se- niors is a two-way street. Senior citizens usually give as much, or more, than they receive. As he put it, “Not only do re- tirees have a signi cant impact on retirement ar- eas, but they also bring a wealth of knowledge and energy to community ser- vices, employment and business.”
In short, there are a lot of reasons a retiree might want to move here, and there are just as many rea- sons why they will likely be met with open arms and feel right at home when they arrive.
includes a “retirement desirability assessment,” a bureaucratic term for proving that the commu- nity meets the needs of senior citizens already living here and those who would like to visit or relo- cate to this area.
Sure, Polk County has Lake Livingston, the
dian Reservation, nature trails and all the relaxing scenery, shing, boating, hunting, camping and en- tertainment opportunities they have to offer, but a community has to have a lot more to earn the Certi- ed Retirement Commu- nity designation.
To be state-certi ed –
Go Texan effort spon- sored through the Texas Department of Agricul- ture -- a community must also meet certain living, employment or volunteer opportunity, health, en- tertainment, education and safety standards.
A large state-of-the-art hospital; unique shopping opportunities, including the monthly Trade Days; ample housing, includ- ing an “over-55” develop- ment; rich history; Liv- ingston’s designation as a Texas Main Street City; libraries; museums; and a cost-of-living below national and state aver- ages boosted the county’s chances when it began the Certi ed Retirement Community process in
Since then, the opening of the Polk County cam- pus of Angelina College, with its continuing edu- cation opportunities and tuition breaks for senior citizens in many classes, has been added to the list of attractions.
The fact that the Escap- ees RV Club, a group that includes retirees from throughout the world, chose Polk County as its home probably didn’t hurt Polk County’s chances to make the list of state- certi ed retirement com- munities.
When Polk County of - cially became a Certi ed Retirement Community, on Aug. 6, 2009, it meant it had proven its worth as a great place for retirees.
Fondren Orthopedic Group L.L.P.
Leading the way in Orthopedic Excellence
Dr. Ken Korthauer
Dr. Jay Muscat
Dr. Scott Dr. Davis Dr. Razvan Dr. Scott Dr. Matthew Stanislaw Wimberley Scobercea Stephens Jordan
601 Rockmead Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339 • 18411 W. Lake Houston Pkwy, Ste. 550, Humble, TX 77346 9522 N. Sam Houston Pkwy, Ste. 2350, Humble, TX 77396
281-359-5115 • www.fondren.com
Senior’s health resources
By: Jerry Hathorn, CHW Healthy Polk County
Although our brochure is placed in many public access places around Polk County, folks sometimes call me asking, ‘What ex- actly do we do?’ It is hard to put everything we do into a tiny ‘nutshell’ of a brochure, so it is under- standable why people have questions. I get that. That is why we provide articles for the media and conduct continuing presentations to organizations, health
care personnel, and busi- nesses. But, your calls are always welcome, giving me a chance to explain in detail.
Our county seniors are probably the main target audience we try to help, given that many are on xed incomes with limit- ed nancial and/or limited insurance or no insurance.
Our main goal, under our grant, is to reduce the number of hospitalizations or re-admissions for Polk County adult residents who suffer from COPD,
CHF, and/or Diabetes. With that said, if you are a Polk County adult resident who is fortunate to have good nancial re- sources and/or adequate insurance then you most likely don’t qualify for our
help.
Our assistance is for
those who fall through the cracks of the ‘system’. Although you may have Medicare Part D prescrip- tion plan, we know from experience that there may be times when you need help. This may be due to the ‘gap’ or ‘donut hole’ in which you have met your limits for prescription medication co-payment amounts. This will con- tinue until you meet your ‘out-of pocket’ limits or you enter a new time pe- riod. Now, I realize this may be opening a ‘can of worms’ so that is all I will say for now. There are volumes of articles de- voted to attempting to ex- plain the Medicare ‘donut
cont. pg. 3
Rated #1 in Polk County since August 2000
Where We Are Committed to Available Services EXCELLENCE!
24 Hour Skilled Nursing Care Dr. Raymond Luna, Medical Director
In/Out Patient Physical Therapy Dr. George DeLoach, Orthopedic Director
Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy
Respite Care (Private and Medicare/Medicaid)
Care Improvement Plus and other HMOs Flat screen TV/ satellite for each resident Restaurant style dining
Electric Beds
Chapel for all denominations Private rooms available
5 Star rated by DADS
Congestive Heart Failure Program
(Home Care Education)
Brenda Battaglia Executive Director
24/7 Admissions/Referrals Call 936-933-5241 Referral Fax Line 1-866-638-7745
Hospice Care
IV Therapy
Wound Care Program
Social Services/Discharge Planning Beauty and Barber Services Medicare and Medicaid Certi ed
301 W. Park Drive • Livingston, Texas 77351 936.328.5021 • Fax: 936.328.5022
WilliamE. Watson
— THERAPEUTIC OPTOMETRIST —
1110 West Church St. (Near The Bypass) Livingston, TX 936/327-3821
• Personalized Professional Eyecare for the entire family
• Contact lens available
• Designer Eyewear
• Lenses for Eyewear
• Medicare, Medicaid, VSP, Davis Vision and other third party vision plans accepted
• Major credit cards accepted
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM By Appointment
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Cochran Funeral Home
936 -327-2158
212 Old Groveton Rd.S. www.cochranfh.com Onalaska
406 Yaupon Livingston
CMYK