In November 2015, the Service Coordination (SC) department at CDR was notified of Nancy Davidson who was desperate to get out of a nursing home in Lyons, NY before the new year. She had spent over 10 years in a nursing home and decided that enough was enough! Nancy took it upon herself to find an apartment on her own at Lyons Manor. She even paid the deposit for the apartment despite even having services in place.

Upon notification, the SC department very quickly worked on a service plan to assist Nancy and help get her out of the nursing home before January 1st. There were challenges faced by the team because we needed to work quickly to get her aide services, assistive devices to live independently and furniture for the apartment in a short period of time.  With the SC team and Nancy working together, her wish came true! On December 25^th 2015 Nancy spent her last Christmas in the nursing home, and she was home in her new apartment by December 29^th 2015 just in time to ring in the new year on her own terms.

Recently at a visit with Nancy in her apartment, when asked how she feels about being back in the community, a big smile appeared on her face and she had a lot to say about her new found freedom. “I can eat what I want and when I want. On Tuesdays I go grocery shopping to Wegmans with the people in my building. I am glad that I can buy the food that I like to eat. I also like to sit in Wegmans Café, and drink coffee and socialize. I have a big window in my apartment where I can sit and enjoy the view and see my neighbors walk by.” Nancy went on to say, “On Sundays, I go to church and I am able to see my church family. I live near a park, and I look forward to nice days where I can go by myself to see live music and buy fresh fruits and vegetables from the Farmers Market. I can go to the bank and my appointments on my own.  My family said that I would never be able to do this but look at me now, I am determined.”

Pictured (on the left): Nancy Davidson sitting and smiling at the camera in her apartment. Nancy is wearing a floral short sleeve shirt and glasses. There is a vase of fresh yellow flowers to the right of Nancy on the windowsill.

With the assistance of CDR’s Service Coordination department, the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver and especially Nancy’s determination, her transition back into the community was able to happen.

For questions or comments, Contact Andrea Austin.