LIFE Is About Helping Seniors Remain Independent and Safe in their Homes

By Andrew Wilson

While medical issues can force elderly people out of the homes they have lived in for years, concern over whether they can live independently and safely may start long before any health problem is discovered.

“Many times, it’s not just a medical issue that our patients have, but they need help with activities of daily living, what we refer to as ADL,” said Randy Hebert, M.D., the medical director of Community LIFE, an all-inclusive program empowering older adults to remain in their homes, while preserving their dignity, independence, and quality of life. Dr. Hebert explains that ADL may refer to non-medical issues like transportation, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, or bathing and personal care. “Someone from our team will assess what is necessary to keep the person safe at home.”

Deanna Guarnaccio, outreach supervisor for LIFE Pittsburgh, an all-inclusive program that helps older adults stay in their homes safely, says the calls they receive come from three main sources.

“When I describe the incoming calls we receive, I put them into three buckets,” she said. “There are older adults calling for help, adult caregivers who are calling for help, or referrals from physicians, hospitals, or assisted-living facilities.”

With the U.S. population aging, there is a soaring demand for at-home care, and organizations like the Pennsylvania LIFE Provider Alliance (PALPA) works with LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) providers – like LIFE Pittsburgh and Community LIFE – across Pennsylvania to help seniors lead healthy, safe, and independent lives in their homes and communities.

Because everyone is different, the signals of when someone needs assistance may differ for each senior. Dr. Hebert and Guarnaccio both listed a few things that adult children or caregivers should be alert for.

• Falls – it may be just a misstep or a sign of a bigger problem.

• Changes in behavior – a home that was always kept neat, may appear in disarray.

• Challenges to daily living – laundry may pile up, meals not prepared, etc.

• Cognitive issues – bills go unpaid, some answers to questions may not make sense

“There are varying degrees of care needed for each person,” said Dr. Hebert, who added that some people require care more often than others. “Some people we will see several times a week and others we may only see once a month. We tailor our services to what type of interaction the person needs and wants.”

Both Community LIFE and LIFE Pittsburgh are much more than home-care agencies. Both will come to the person’s home and make assessments of what is needed for the senior to safely remain in their home.

“Some people may not appear to need more than one service, but as we dig a bit, we may find that they do need more than one service,” said Guarnaccio. “And as seniors get older, their needs may increase. We can increase the amount of services that we provide.”

While medical care is one of the services provided, some of the non-medical services also have health implications. For example, a common problem seen involves transportation. If seniors still drive, they may only feel comfortable driving on familiar roads. Such an outlook may cause them to reschedule or cancel doctor’s appointments, which may result in them not getting the medical care that they need in a timely manner. Another issue could be meal preparation. If seniors aren’t eating properly, that can lead to health problems, too.

“All of our services are based on actual needs of the individual,” said Guarnaccio, who added that the services offered include recreational therapy, social work, physical and occupational therapies, registered dietitian, personal care, and adult day health centers. “The program is free for all who qualify financially through Pennsylvania’s medical assistance program.”

Dr. Hebert said that he likes the way that his wife, who is not in the healthcare field, describes the work that he does.

“She tells people that I work for a non-profit that helps people stay in their homes who would otherwise be in a nursing home,” he said.

About Community LIFE
Community LIFE is an all-inclusive program empowering older adults to remain at home, while preserving their dignity, independence, and quality of life. For more information, please call 1-(866) 419-1693, email info@commlife.org, or visit us on the web at www.commlife.org.

About LIFE Pittsburgh 
LIFE Pittsburgh is an all-inclusive program for individuals 55+ who want to stay in their home but need supportive services to do so. Our coordinated plan of care includes medical, social, and daily in-home living support. At LIFE Pittsburgh, seniors are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. To learn more about your eligibility and/or the process of enrolling, please contact (412) 388-8050 TTY: 711 and ask for the Enrollment Department or visit the website www.lifepittsburgh.org. Reach out if you need extra support.