Alberta Waxler, left, and Jane Basar talk about fall crafts at the LIFE-Beaver center in Aliquippa. The LIFE program, which is offered by Lutheran Senior Life, serves as a medical and social manager for senior citizens who stay in their homes. Lutheran Senior Life is teaming up with Butler Health System to bring the program to Butler County in the spring. A location has not yet been selected.

ALIQUIPPA, Beaver County — Health care providers, such as Lutheran Senior Life and Butler Health System, are looking for ways to keep older people in their homes longer.

Mary Lou Harju, marketing manager for Lutheran Senior Life's LIFE program, explained the Lutheran organization and BHS are bringing LIFE to Butler County as part of this effort.

Harju said studies have found seniors do better in their own homes instead of nursing or personal care homes, even if that means visits or around-the-clock care from professionals.

LIFE, which was recently established in Beaver County, serves as a medical and social manager for older adults who stay in their homes.

The program opened a day-care center of sorts for seniors in Aliquippa. Participants are required to give up their family doctors to be cared for by the program's doctors.

"If you went into a nursing or personal care home, you'd most likely lose your doctor anyway," Harju said.

The new doctors, whose office is in the LIFE center, manage a patient's health care, make referrals to specialists and oversee patient medicines.

Besides health care, Harju said the center provides social opportunities for participants.

"Clients can come once a month or five days a week," she said, adding that the center provides activities, exercises, meals, therapy and dietary consultations.

There also is a Home Care Department, which provides laundry, housecleaning, meals and more to clients in their homes.

The program is paid for through the Department of Public Welfare or through private medical insurance. Seniors who make less than $1,809 per month and who have less than $8,000 in assets, not including their home, are eligible for assistance.

Harju said the Aliquippa facility has about 68 clients and can handle up to 120 clients.

"But it's a matter of getting the word out. People just don't know about the program, or if they do hear about it, a lot of people think it's too good to be true, but it is true," she said, adding that once the 120 limit is met in Aliquippa, the state will open additional facilities.

LIFE-Butler County is scheduled to open in late spring, but Harju said that no location has been picked yet.

Butler County's first LIFE facility will be located in or nearby the city of Butler, she said.