Senior LIFE Uniontown reaches 200 Member Milestone
On December 1, Rosa Pierce became Senior LIFE Uniontown’s 200th member. Senior LIFE Uniontown, serving Fayette County since 2009, is an innovative program providing all-inclusive care for eligible seniors 55 years of age and older.
Pierce, who joined Senior LIFE Uniontown after a move from West Virginia, is elated to be a part of the Senior LIFE community. “I was stagnate at [my old] apartment,” Pierce stated, “I was not getting any communication with other people.” Now a part of a vibrant and growing program, Pierce won’t have to worry about interacting with others. On her very first day at the center, Pierce remarked, “We’re having a ball! We joke and laugh and tell stories.”
Regardless of a member’s longevity in the program, the motivations to join seem universal — coordinated health care, socialization, and remaining in their home and community. Julia Myers, Senior LIFE Uniontown’s longest enrolled member also looks forward to Senior LIFE’s healthcare and social components. Senior LIFE “gives me the chance to be around other people and there’s always things to do.” Myers shared, “Coming to the center gives me a routine and a purpose those days.” Myers also highlighted the program’s member-ease and friendliness, “The staff is very nice, and the program is convenient. The medical staff is in the building so I don’t have to worry about how to get to doctors’ appointments.” Transportation is provided right to the center where Myers sees her doctor, nurse, social worker and other healthcare professionals as well as participates in various forms of therapy and activities.
To participate in the Senior LIFE Program, seniors must first meet a few basic qualifications. In addition to being 55 years of age or older and living in the Fayette County service area, they must also be determined as medically eligible based on health conditions, and financially eligible based on income and assets. For those who are not financially eligible, there is also an option to pay privately for the services. All of Senior LIFE Uniontown’s members receive services at no cost.
There is no cost to determine eligibility.
The program called PACE nationally and LIFE in Pennsylvania is unique. It is designed to provide coordinated care for qualifying seniors who might otherwise be placed in a nursing home. The program, funded by Medicare and Medicaid, provides members with a wide variety of coordinated health and personal care services to address physical, emotional, and social needs both in the LIFE Center and in the member’s home.
Natalie Martin, Senior LIFE Uniontown’s Executive Director, is pleased to be part of a program that makes so much of a difference in the lives of a local seniors.
“Our staff, including our in-house physician, nurses, therapists, social workers, dieticians, and others are all part of the participants’ care team. We develop care plans that are specific to our members’ needs and provide care for our members both in the center and in their home.” Martin stated, “If you are a member at Senior LIFE Uniontown, you have the gold club card of Fayette County.”
Martin oversees a growing member base as well as a growing staff. She attributes the success of the Uniontown program to the staff: “We have a great staff. I’m surrounded by people who really care about the members. They enjoy working with them and have their best interest at heart. It’s the formula for success and growth.”
One of Senior LIFE Uniontown’s most tenured staff, Lisa Slampak, agrees. Slampak, who has worked in the center’s business office since 2009 says the work environment is “absolutely the best.”
“I love it here and I am very blessed to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this mission and a community that keeps on growing,” Slampak shared.
One of SLU’s most recent staff additions is Dr. Rebecca Stumpf, who joined Senior LIFE this November. Dr. Stumpf has her medical background in family medicine, and attributes her passion for geriatrics from her supportive family upbringing. “My family was always visiting my grandparents when I was growing up,” Dr. Stumpf explained, “It’s important to have respect for this generation.” Dr. Stumpf was initially drawn to the LIFE program because of its all-inclusive nature: “Senior LIFE makes a whole lot of sense. The program meets people where they are and gives them the care they need. We have all of the services here. If I have a question for the therapist or the social worker, they are all right here. That makes a huge difference.”
For more information on Senior LIFE Uniontown, call 724-434-5433, or visit the website at www.seniorlifeuniontown.com.
Contact:
Angel James, PACE Consulting Solutions
814.472.6060 or ajames@paceconsultingsolutions.com
