County LIFE Program helps seniors live independently
When Marie Leith went to doctors for her many health problems, she found that she "couldn't get taken care of," she said.
Leith, 63, of Butler is the 10th of 11 seniors who are now participants in the new LIFE Butler County program designed to help seniors remain independent while caring for their needs.
Leith's health issues, including breast cancer recovery, back problems and blood clots, required that she receive some help in her home. But the greatest challenge, she said, was getting her medical problems solved.
Just a few weeks ago, Leith enrolled in LIFE Butler County. "I wish I had done this a long time ago," she said.
LIFE stands for Living Independence for the Elderly and is a spin-off of the PACE programs in other states. LIFE was founded to offer independence and care to the elderly who otherwise may need to move to a skilled nursing care facility.
Regulated by the state Department of Public Welfare, LIFE allows qualifying seniors to live either alone in their homes or with a relative or caregiver while receiving supplemental help.
Mary Lou Harju works for LIFE Butler County and LIFE Beaver County as marketing manager.
"We try to keep them (LIFE participants) independent," Harju said.
Participants must be eligible for Medicaid, which funds the care they receive with LIFE. Qualifying participants can eventually receive assistance without the LIFE program, but the program offers a greater value per Medicaid dollar. Medicaid gives a certain amount of funding per participant to LIFE Butler County, which then manages a personalized care plan. Those enrolled then do not have to manage their medication payments other than co-pays, schedule doctor appointments, order or pick up medications or arrange for in-home care.
In the newly renovated center on West Diamond Street, the 11 LIFE participants gather several days per week for two of the three components of the program: medical care and the adult day center.
The medical care LIFE participants receive comes from a team of professionals including a medical director, a primary care physician, a nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a physical therapist, a speech therapist and a dietitian. The center soon will hire a nurse practitioner as well.Participants also receive dental, vision and hearing care. The LIFE program partners with Lutheran Senior Life and Butler Health System for consultation and health services.As part of enrollment in the LIFE program, participants agree to give up their current doctors and see the program doctor as their primary care physician."For some, staying with their doctor is the most important thing," Harju said. However, she added the package of benefits participants receive usually persuades applicants to switch to the LIFE doctor.Leith said, "Dr. (Michael) Oliver has the most compassionate, caring way about him."The center's doctor then manages all of the participant's care including any hospitalizations or nursing home care that may become necessary.A nurse also is on call should a participant have a question, issue or emergency.Because LIFE is not governed by insurance companies, the doctor can prescribe treatments like extended physical therapy that he deems necessary, Harju said. Many insurance companies and HMOs have to limit how much care can be given."It takes a load off the family," Harju said.Also included in the medical care is in-home medical care that the occupational therapist covers.The occupational therapist evaluates a participant's home as it relates to the senior's physical condition. They check the safety of the home by identifying potential hazards like throw rugs or electrical cords that could be fall hazards. Occupational therapists also can adapt a home to specific needs with equipment such as shower chairs, grab bars and ramps.Harju said the therapists even help participants learn how to operate appliances that may be confusing. Special microwave buttons can be attached to help a participant. Beds can be lowered or raised depending on a person's mobility. The therapist can even have a lift chair brought into a home.The staff also has the advantage of seeing their participants several times per week. This allows them to keep an eye on their habits and locate problems early. If there is a concern, participants can be checked every day if necessary."It's preventive. It keeps me from getting worse," Leith said. "They've done more for me in three weeks than I was able to do in two and a half years."Being checked out regularly can help avoid emergency room visits and hospitalizations."We want to be good stewards of our funds. What is best for the person?" she said.If hospitalization becomes necessary, the LIFE nurse and social worker will accompany the participant monitor their care.Even if a participant has to move to a nursing home, he or she can still attend the day center.LIFE partners with three area nursing homes, Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Butler, St. John Specialty Care in Mars and Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople.
The LIFE Butler County adult day center opened in September.The center houses offices for staff plus examination rooms, a lab, therapy rooms, personal care rooms, a library and quiet room, a community room with a large television, and an activity room attached to the dining area and kitchen.The center is open five days a week, but most participants attend two to three days weekly depending on their need.A van picks up participants from as far as Chicora, Mars and Slippery Rock. Harju said that the van driver also is an invaluable asset to each participant's care."He can see if something isn't right," she said. The driver helps participants from inside their homes into their van seats, seeing the home each day. He can tell if participants are not caring for their homes or themselves as they should. From there, the staff can assess for needed changes.Participants arrive at the center at about 10 a.m. each day and have scheduled activities that include snacks, lunch, exercise, movies, games, Wii bowling, Bible studies, parties and crafts.Ingrid Tallarico is the recreation coordinator and plans each day's activities.When it's time for exercise, Tallarico said she hears a lot of groans."We have a group that's anti-exercise," she joked."They are very entertaining," Tallarico said of the group that assembled Feb. 19 to pot a plant that had become rootbound.The participants come for a variety of reasons, but all leave with the same benefits. They receive comprehensive care as well as time to bond with others and have something to talk about when they go home, Harju said."I enjoy it very much. I don't think I've missed a day," said Amelia Malvarose of Center Township, who will soon be moving with a son who is coming from Texas. "I can't wait," she added.Pat Marshall, also a Center Township resident, said, "I was the first one they signed up. The program has been very good. They're very professional, courteous."The group also agreed the day's stir-fry lunch was delicious.Harju said a great benefit of the center environment is that the participants can make friends."In their 70s, 80s and 90s, many friends are gone," she said. "I have seen how we have made lives more full. We've brought so much to their lives. That's what keeps our staff going. They see the differences."The day center allows caregivers a time of respite as well."Caregiving is very stressful. We can relieve some of that so the time spent with their parents is better time," Harju said.
A big part of keeping participants in their homes is letting them do as much as they can, Harju said.Of the 11 current participants, seven live alone and four live with family.The LIFE staff partners with the caregiver or the participant to see what they can do to care for their homes and themselves, then LIFE fills the gaps."We want them to care for their homes," Harju said. "It gives them a purpose."If a participant can still handle sweeping but can't scrub a floor, the LIFE staff will send someone in to scrub.Some participants may need an aide to help them out of bed and to help them get ready in the morning.LIFE employs two home health workers and also contracts with home health services to cover what the LIFE employees cannot.
LIFE Butler County's goal is to eventually serve the community like the LIFE Beaver County center does. The Beaver center serves 126 participants and has expanded its services and its facility.Currently the Butler center on Diamond Street has the capacity to serve 50 participants, 39 more than it currently serves.The challenge is "getting people to know we exist," Harju said. "There is a huge need. It's amazing to me what the elderly are living with."
Following are the basic qualifications to enroll in LIFE Butler County. Each case is assessed individually and many factors affect an applicant's enrollment.Lisa Monday, administrator of the Butler County Area Agency on Aging, said even if an applicant is denied through the agency's assessment, "They always have their appeal rights."Mary Lou Harju stressed that seniors should not disqualify themselves. "Call us," she said. "We'll come out to see you."Enrollment staff Marla Frailey and Jan Rodgers do their best to see that all those who are interested in LIFE get the help they need."We need to make sure that a person gets the services they need, even if it's not our program. Jan will refer them to the program that will specifically meet their need." Harju said.<b>Qualifications</b>• 60 years of age• Nursing facility eligible• Income of less than $2,022 per month• Assets of less than $8,000, not including a home<b>Enrollment process</b>The enrollment process takes four to six weeks. Following are the typical steps to enrollment:• Initial call by interested applicant or caregiver• Home visit with enrollment coordinator• Assessment paperwork sent to applicant's doctor• Assessment paperwork sent from doctor to the Butler County Area Agency on Aging• Assessment by the agency on aging• Financial information sent to the county assistance office• Assessment and meeting at the LIFE center. Applicants meet staff, social worker, dietitian and recreation coordinator• County approval allows LIFE staff to draft care plan and begin enrollment
The following are a few home- and community-based service programs available to senior citizens. Full descriptions of these and other programs can be found online at the Office of Long Term Living Web site at www.dpw.state.pa.us/About/OLTL/.Those interested in senior help are encouraged to call the Agency on Aging at 724-282-3008.• LIFE Butler County — provides medical care, an adult day center and in-home aid for qualifying seniors.• OPTIONS program — for those who need some help in their homes, but aren't clinically eligible for skilled care.• Family Caregiver Support Program — provides funding to qualified caregivers to assist in the cost of caring for an elderly dependent.• Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Waiver program — allows Medicaid dollars to be spent on in-home care versus nursing home care.
