Small homes an alternative to nursing home for low-income seniors
Senior citizens who are Medicaid eligible will have the opportunity to live with a few roommates in a ranch-style home, while receiving the help and care they need.
Lutheran Senior Life CEO David Fenoglietto said the “small home program” is underway in Butler, Lawrence, Armstrong and Beaver counties.
The program is a function of LIFE Butler County, which is owned and operated by Lutheran Senior Life and Butler Health System.
Fenoglietto said Lutheran Senior Life bought a block of property on the Island section of Butler surrounded by South Chestnut, Hazel, Krut and Merlin streets.
Work is now underway there to place one of two small homes that will house low-income seniors.
Fenoglietto said the duplex will have three bedrooms in each of its two units.
Low-income seniors who live there will have their own bedrooms, but will share common spaces like a kitchen, living room, bathroom and porch.
“We will monitor their safety in that home,” Fenoglietto said.
The seniors will be picked up by the LIFE Butler County van and taken to the LIFE facility on West Diamond Street, where they can visit an on-site doctor, have bloodwork done, visit a physical or occupational therapist or nutritionist, or enjoy a meal and participate in activities.
Fenoglietto said the duplex now being built should be complete by July and the other will be built next year.
An existing duplex in the small home program on South Chestnut Street houses four seniors in two units.
Fenoglietto said LIFE Butler County’s mission is to care for older adults, many of whom are low-income, live at home safely instead of moving into a nursing home.
He said skilled care can even be provided in the small homes by LIFE professionals.
Fenoglietto said the small home program has dual benefits.
“It enables the residents of the Butler community to live in a residential home connected to LIFE Butler County,” he said, “and it modernizes the area around Chestnut and Hazel streets. That’s a nice bonus for the community.”
He said the program is not looking for additional properties at this time to convert to small homes.
The small homes program is a unique one in the U.S., Fenoglietto said.
