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Living
the
LIFE
I
magine the blessing of being able to live
at home as we age, while still receiving
the support services, meals and social
interactions that everyone needs.
The LIFE (Living Independence for the
Elderly) Butler County program offers eligible
county residents that and more—every day.
Located just behind the Butler County
Courthouse, LIFE Butler County is one of four
LIFE programs offered by Lutheran SeniorLife
and, in the case of LIFE Butler County, in
partnership with Butler Memorial Hospital.
“I think it’s always our goal to remain home
as we age,” says Janice Rodgers, enrollment
manager for LIFE Butler County. “Sometimes
that’s difficult to do without outside support.”
Rodgers interacts with most every
participant
of the LIFE
program.
Participants
in the program
live at home
and are
transported to
the LIFE center
by bus or van
for a variety of
services and
opportunities
for social
interaction
during the
day.
They are transported home in the evening.
Program participants must be 55 or older,
recipients of medical assistance and require
skilled nursing care.
Program eligibility involves a medical
evaluation assessment by the Area Agency on
Aging, safety at home eligibility determination
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by the LIFE program staff, and a financial
assessment by the Department of Human
Services.
There are no co-pays for qualified
participants.
A LIFE program physician becomes the
participant’s Primary Care Physician, and
while often that’s a challenging transition
for participants, once one doctor becomes
responsible for all aspects of the participant’s
medical care, participants appreciate it.
The following are some of the services
available:
• Transportation to and from the center
• Primary medical and specialty care
• Home care and housekeeping
• Recreational programs
• Social activities
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy
• Social Service support
• Meals and assistance with meal preparation
• Prescription drug coverage
• Nutritional counseling
• Medical equipment
“A good candidate could be someone who
needs assistance managing their medication,
someone who needs help bathing or someone
who has been in and out of the hospital or
rehab setting,” Rodgers explains. “It really
depends on the individual’s needs.”
LIFE Butler County serves residents in all
areas of Butler County.
“If they are eligible and live in Butler County,
transportation is provided to and from the
center as well as to and from
medical appointments,”
Rodgers says.
In addition to LIFE Butler
County, in partnership
with Butler Health System,
Lutheran SeniorLife also
operates LIFE Lawrence
County and LIFE Beaver
County programs with Heritage Valley
Health System and LIFE Armstrong County in
partnership with Armstrong County Memorial
Hospital.
Rodgers says the hospital partnership is a
key component because of the value of the PCP
coordinating healthcare with a participating
hospital. “Anyone can make a referral,” she adds.
Oftentimes it’s an adult child who recognizes
that Mom or Dad, while they are determined to
remain at home, need support and do not have
the financial resources to obtain it.
Once a referral is made, enrollment is usually
handled within four to six weeks.
Another advantage of the LIFE setting is the
development of relationships between the
participant and LIFE program staff.
“We have a very low turnover rate with our
staff, ” Rodgers says. “The very first certified
nursing assistant we hired is still working here.”
“Our staff really becomes like an extended
family, not only to the participants but to the
adult children and caregivers,” Rodgers says.
A Halloween party last October reflected this,
as a mixture of staff, participants and family
members spent the day celebrating in costume.
LIFE Butler County recently celebrated its
10th anniversary, and enrollment has steadily
increased since opening in 2008.
To learn more about LIFE Butler County , contact Janice Rodgers at 724.431.3903.
32
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