CentraState - Healthy Directions

Respite Care at Monmouth Crossing: A Fresh Start for Helen H elen Bentsen was 91 when she broke her hip—an injury that is always a grave concern for the elderly. Fortunately for Helen, she was able to undergo hip surgery at CentraState Medical Center and successful physical therapy at The Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center. When she felt better, she returned home to her apartment attached to her daughter Susan's house, but neither Helen nor Susan forgot the warm care she received while a patient. So when it came time for Susan and her husband to take a longoverdue vacation in August 2012, Helen entered respite care at Monmouth Crossing, located just across the street from CentraState. Two weeks later, Susan came to bring Helen home, and Helen didn't want to leave. "We had talked about assisted living, but she was resistant, so I was surprised when she said she wanted to stay, Susan says. "Those two weeks " at Monmouth Crossing sold it for her. " Born in Brooklyn and residing in Manalapan the past several years, Helen is an independent person by nature, but she was strongly impressed with the benefits of assisted living in a community environment. "Immediately, I liked it, Helen says. " So the decision was made to move Helen to Monmouth Crossing on a long-term basis in October 2012. "She's independent, but enjoys having her meals prepared for her and people to eat them with, Susan says. " Aside from the various activities such as bingo, hair appointments and sing-alongs, Helen enjoys her time at Monmouth Crossing because of the people she meets. "I'm a personable person, and I make friends very easily, Helen says. "I can " always find someone to talk to. I'm very happy here. " Now at ease at Monmouth Crossing, Helen is more than pleased with her decision to extend her respite care stay into a permanent stay, and is trying to convince a close friend to do the same. Helen Bentsen, with her daughter Susan, is living life to the fullest at Monmouth Crossing. 8 Summer 2013 "There hasn't been one day that I've come in here and she's had a complaint, " Susan says. "It's definitely given her her independent spirit back. We thought the hip break was going to be the end for her, and it was really a beginning. " Healthy Directions

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