Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 10, 1994 TAG: 9404100101
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
As a curious youngster in Williamsburg, Glisson wandered her neighborhood, knocking on doors and charming her way into the living rooms of white-haired neighbors.
When the current Miss Virginia was 7, a 98-year-old man was her closest friend, she said.
"He was at home alone, and we would walk around the block together," she said. "It didn't matter how old he was. He [was] just an ordinary kid to me."
The man she knew as Mr. White died before she was 11, but not before he taught her some valuable lessons, Glisson said.
"There is a whole wealth of the population that is neglected," Glisson said. "All they want is attention."
She believes adult day care is a solution.
Instead of languishing in nursing homes or remaining isolated at home, able-bodied elderly people can socialize with their peers, Glisson said.
The day-care option is cheaper and more attractive than full-time nursing care for many people. It also helps the While the title of Miss Virginia does carry with it a good number of fashion shows, public appearances and an occasional parade, Glisson said she takes advantage of any chance she finds to push elderly rights. elderly remain independent longer and frees their families from the burdens of constant care, she said.
Some adult day-care programs are housed alone, while others are affiliated with nursing homes or hospitals, said Dorothy Howe, spokeswoman for the American Association for Retired Persons in Washington, D.C.
Howe said the national average cost of adult day care is $35 a day, compared with about $100 a day for nursing home care.
Having someone like Miss Virginia publicly support the program helps promote awareness of adult day care, a subject that is unfamiliar to most people, Howe said.
Glisson first became interested in adult day care as a senior at Virginia Tech when she did a story on the subject for the school television station.
She later volunteered to help in several programs for the elderly in Blacksburg and was struck by how many of the elderly seemed abandoned by their families.
As Miss Lynchburg, Glisson made frequent visits to elderly residents at the Virginia Baptist Hospital.
She often sang to patients and always made a point to talk with them individually, Glisson said.
"I think it made them feel good to know that someone with her title would stop in and say hello," said Melisa Moon, a therapist at the hospital.
While the title of Miss Virginia does carry with it a good number of fashion shows, public appearances and an occasional parade, Glisson said she takes advantage of any chance she finds to push elderly rights.
Lynne Seward, past president of the Virginia Institute of Adult Care, said Glisson is an especially effective advocate for adult day care because of her youth, enthusiasm and willingness to fight for a "non-sexy issue."
"Anytime that she talks about adult day care, people are going to listen," Seward said.
Glisson has met twice with President Clinton's special assistant on long-term health care. She also spoke to Virginia's General Assembly about the issue at this year's session.
During the 1993 Miss America pageant, Glisson made a pitch for adult day care. She was fourth runner-up.
The exposure prompted a number of letters from viewers who wanted to know more about day care for the elderly.
"I was dumbfounded," she said. "It feels great knowing you've had an effect on someone."
Glisson said the attention she can command as a beauty queen sometimes has a downside when dealing with experts on elderly issues.
"Sometimes people feel that you may be less intelligent," Glisson said.
"I want to speak. I want to turn around that . . . bimbo image," she said.
She hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a broadcasting career when her term concludes in July.
by CNB