Catholic Charities of Lee County

Fort Myers—After suffering through two strokes, 83-year-old Julien Jeudy still was able to live at home. However, his vision in both eyes became weak and he discovered he needed surgery. Since Jeudy had only emergency Medicaid for health insurance, he was unable to pay for the procedure and his ability to remain independent was threatened.

Senior Services of Catholic Charities provides free assistance with daily living to elderly who are disabled, home bound, and cannot perform personal care activities without some help. The program targets the under served population with no health insurance who are usually isolated and alone most of the time. The mission of the program is to help the senior citizen to live in the least restricted environment such as their home.

Jeudy has been a client of the program since 2008. “He was basically blind,” said Program Director Jessie Lloyd. After seeing an advertisement for a local doctor that performed free cataract surgery, Lloyd placed a call and secured Jeudy an appointment. Since Jeudy speaks Creole, Lloyd translated during the doctor’s appointment. Jeudy qualified for the free surgery and received two separate procedures—one for each eye.

“After the first surgery he began to see and he was elated,” said Lloyd. “When the second eye was done, he was thrilled. He saw me for the first time and said ‘I can see you now and you are pretty,” said Lloyd with a chuckle.

Quality of life has much improved for Jeudy, according to Lloyd. “He is able to read, write, look people in the eye when he speaks to them, watch TV, and understand and sign his paper work properly,” she said. “He is so grateful. Because of the two strokes he endured, he is paralyzed in his right leg. With better vision, he now feels more empowered and self-sufficient.”

The Senior Services Program monitors on average 68 clients. Each client has a caseworker and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) assigned to them. Caseworkers assess and develop a care plan and the CNAs visit the elderly in their home two days a week for two hours at a time. They provide personal care and light home support such as laundry and cleaning. The CNAs also are bilingual in either Spanish or Creole. On the days the CNA does not visit, a wellness check is performed where the client receives a phone call. Clients also are able to contact their caseworker at any time.

“We have a waiting list of about 15 people,” said Lloyd. The program is only a year and a half old and the only one of its kind in the community. “As the population lives longer, this type of service will be needed more, especially for those who are poor but don’t really need to go to a nursing home.”

Other aspects of the program include advocacy and caregiver respite. Senior Services also works with other agencies to arrange for anything a client may need. And, if the client is living with a spouse, family member or some type of partner or friend, the visit from the CNA can offer time off for the caregiver.

The CNAs also bring supplies such as food and personal care items when they visit. Catholic Charities always is in need of donations of food and products such as soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, lotions, adult diapers, along with shower stools, walkers, and wheel chairs.

If you are interested in donating to or volunteering for the Senior Services Program of Catholic Charities, please call Jessie Lloyd at 239-334-2234 or email jlloyd@ccslee.org.

Photo: Senior Services of Catholic Charities Program Director Jessie Lloyd (left) and Certified Nursing Assistant Cecile Dautruche (right) visit with client Julien Jeudy who recently received free cataract surgery in both eyes.