ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Tiffany Nash, who was the fortune teller at the Element Care carnival, waits for customers.
BY ADAM SWIFT
LYNN — There were no elephants, but there was plenty of popcorn, a bean bag toss and even a fortune teller during Element Care’s carnival on Monday.
Since 1995, Element Care has provided complete health care to low-income people over 55 through its All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly program.
“The carnival creates a lot of camaraderie,” said Rachel Wilson, activity coordinator. “A lot of the people here are low-income and do not have a lot of people to look out for them. The carnival brings some sunshine into their lives.”
The carnival was a first-time event for Wilson, her co-workers and the program participants. But it fit with the kind of services that happen daily, she said.
“The idea is to keep these people in the community and as independent as possible with the services we can provide,” said Hector Rivera, site coordinator.
Those services include social services, occupational and physical therapy and dieticians in addition to health care. But just as important are the kind of activities and social programs that happen every day, in addition to the special programs like the carnival and a fashion show held last fall, he said.
“I’ve been coming here for the last four or five years, I love it here,” said James Chavous, a program participant. “It’s a second home. I know all the people here.”
Ethel Barry, another program participant, praised the staff and nurses for all they’ve done to keep her going.
“I’ve had nine surgeries and I’m 70 years old, but I’m fighting back,” she said.
Adam Swift can be reached at [email protected].
