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heart to heart

The Senior Friendship Center:

When Health is the Real Wealth

Master Sheet 7.13.16

by Karen Coney Coplin
T he Senior Friendship Health Center isn’t a new Main colors

organization. It’s served the medical and dental needs
of Naples residents since 1985; until recently in a site
near City Hall that most will remember as the (now
Pantone: 3005 C
Hex: #0077BC Pantone: 376 C Pantone: 294 C
Hex: #81BD41
Hex: #1B3769
CMYK: 100, 45, 2, 0 CMYK: 55, 3, 100, 0 CMYK: 100, 86, 29, 22
closed) Chapel Grill restaurant. RGB: 0, 119, 188 RGB: 129, 189, 65 RGB: 27, 55, 105
While it may have a new locale and an expanded mission, Accent color
it remains true to its roots. The Center’s services are devoted to
helping residents who are at least 50 years of age and, also, are at
Pantone: 3282 C
300 percent of the poverty level. Clients qualify as uninsured or Hex: #00837B
CMYK: 86, 29, 55, 8
RGB: 0, 131, 123
under-insured; once so qualified financially, they will be seen by
volunteer specialists to create a treatment plan.
The Center’s many dedicated volunteers include treating
physicians, nurses, and other specialists in broad-ranging fields
of medical expertise. These include geriatric care, pulmonary,
cardiology, endocrinology, gynecology, opthalmology, nephrology,
chronic disease assistance management and dermatology. Primary THE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO MISS OUT ON A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
care assistance is offered as well. SO WHEN PLANNING YOUR NEXT MOVE, GO WITH A CHOICE WORTH CELEBRATING!
MJ Scarpelli, the Director of Development and Marketing, also How can readers help this organization? Do you know retired BEST
told me that the dental care provided by the Center is a game- medical professionals looking to “give back?” If so, look no further! Our expansive, new resort retirement community offers luxurious independent living options,
changer. The Center offers an array of services including basic Ms. Scarpelli notes that spreading the word to friends and neighbors next quality amenities and exceptional continuing care including assisted living, memory care,
exams and hygiene, crowns, fillings, dentures, oral surgery and is the foundation to this organization’s success. The Senior Friendship short-term rehabilitation and residential healthcare. Plus, with a 95% refundable entrance fee,
Periodontics. “One of our patients told us...he did not have a full Health Center always has a place in their treatment rooms for thing
smile and in fact, did not smile for nearly three decades,” shared Ms. medical, dental, and nursing providers, year-round, or, seasonally. it’s Naples’ most attractive resort retirement community!
Scarpelli. “You can imagine his joy, and ours (after being treated)... So, if you know a retired or semi-retired doctor, dentist, or nurse,
it is such a wonderful thing to see him smile now.” ask them: “Have you heard of the Naples Senior Friendship Health SEE THE BEST NEXT THING TODAY.
The Senior Friendship Health Center is located at 2355 Center?” If not, Ms. Scarpelli is happy to complete the introduction; Call (239) 307-3050 for your personal tour.
Stanford Court, in Suite 701 (Naples, Florida 34112). Ms. and, even offer a helpful (and brief) tour of their new facility. 7900 Arlington Circle | Naples, FL 34113
Scarpelli is always on the lookout for service providers to attend to Naturally, donations are also appreciated. These go directly to an www.arlingtonnaples.org
the Center’s patients; also, she welcomes (and seeks) patients who “Uninsured Patient Fund” unless specified for another purpose.
might otherwise not have heard about this organization and how it Many clients of the Center cannot afford the next step in care
might help those in need. once seen by a Center’s specialist. This fund enables those without
The website for the Center is: seniorfriendshiphealthcenter.org resources to see specialists for MRIs, CAT Scans, or biopsies, as
and the office phone number is: 239.658.3105. some examples. “The fund allows patients to focus on their health
One of the Center’s very worthwhile goals is to keep “non and be relieved of the stress of financial worries when they may be
emergencies” out of the Emergency Room. Ms. Scarpelli notes, facing a dire diagnosis.”
“[we want] our patients to establish a continuum of care as they Sounds exactly like when a “Friend(ship)” is most needed.
age.” In some cases, patients may not qualify under the Center’s
financial guidelines; in such instances the Center works hand-
in-hand with other organizations (such as the Collier Resource Email Karen Coney Coplin at NaplesKCC@gmail.com with future
Center, profiled last month in this column) to help guide them to article ideas or questions.
other channels for help in medical care and social services.

The Arlington of Naples welcomes people of all faiths, beliefs and traditions. A Lutheran Life Community–serving seniors and
their families for more than a century. Lutheran Life Communities: Empowering vibrant, grace-filled living across all generations.
38 Life in Naples | May • June • July 2017