SHAMOKIN - Services provided by local health care agencies were the focus of the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Mini Health Care Breakfast held Tuesday.
Hosted by Rob's Good Time Grill, a new chamber member, and sponsored by Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, the breakfast featured speakers from four local businesses and organizations: LIFE Geisinger, Kulpmont; VNA Health System, Shamokin; Family Medical Home Health Agency, Mount Carmel, and Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging.
Marc A. Varano, outreach coordinator for LIFE Geisinger, said the program, in operation since January 2008, has proven a popular alternative to nursing home placement for local seniors who need daily care. Participants come to the LIFE center for a full day of activities, but return home in the evening.
A person must be deemed eligible for the program by the Area Agency on Aging, and services are covered financially for those who are eligible for Medicare or Medical Assistance.
Chamber director Sandy Winhofer noted how LIFE Geisinger, in combination with the Northumberland County Housing Authority and Luzerne County Community College, not only provide services for the elderly, but they saved an old building - a former elementary school - by establishing their businesses in the Spruce Street facility.
Caring center
Cheryl Donlan, an LPN with VNA, focused on the company's caring center at 2 E. Arch St. Similar to LIFE Geisinger, the center provides a place for adults with functional impairment, thereby providing respite for caregivers and a community-based alternative to long-term care. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Participants do not have to be nursing home eligible, Donlan said.
Games and public outings are part of the family atmosphere promoted at VNA Caring Center, she said.
Family Medical Chief Operating Officer Kathleen Hoffman told about the company's 20-plus years of providing home health care, private-duty nursing and, as of last year, hospice services. She also noted that Family Medical uses "tele-health" services that help provide care on days when nurses don't visit an in-home patient.
Hoffman said Family Medical is excited about introducing a new nursing home alternative that will be just the second of its kind in the country. "Our Family Homes" involves three seniors sharing a private, single-family home in an average neighborhood, while Family Home Medical provides home care services around-the-clock.
Hoffman said the company has its first house ready and will soon implement the program.
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Tuesday's final speaker was Karen Leonovich from Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging, and she said it was appropriate that she went last because the agency represents a "clearinghouse" of information for those seeking health care services. Leonovich said she is honored to hold the deputy administrator position with the agency, having been hired in the wake of the death of Patricia Rosini earlier this year. Leonovich previously worked for Columbia-Montour Area Agency on Aging.
Beyond providing referrals, operating Meals on Wheels and setting up in-home services and care management programs, a key facet of the Area Agency on Aging's work is protective services. The agency steps in where needed to remove elderly from situations of abuse or neglect, or cases where they are being exploited financially.
Leonovich also noted the LINK program, a collaborative effort among social services providers. The goal of the initiative is to cross-train workers from various agencies so they can better assist clients and not allow anyone to fall through the cracks.
Winhofer noted how, beyond the services they provide, health care agencies employ large numbers of people. Those participating in the breakfast reported employment numbers ranging from 40 to 110.
This was the chamber's lone breakfast of the year; other membership meetings are lunches.
The chamber will not have a July luncheon, but it's popular duck drop and railroad motor cars visit is set for Sunday, July 29. For tickets, call the chamber office 648-4675.