VFI Cares for Consumers During Snowstorm

By Lois Thompson

The Pittsburgh area has received its share of large snowfalls over the years, but they generally don't compare with those that hit Erie. However, whenever and wherever they strike, life must go on, especially for those who care for others. That's exactly what the workers at Voices for Independence in Erie learned when a winter storm hit northwestern Pennsylvania late in November.

Steve Johnson, director of marketing for VFI in both Washington, PA, and Erie, talked about what took place and the problems the VFI workers faced during that time: "The snow started Friday morning and we didn't see a plow until Monday evening. It looked like a snow globe, and when there's that much snow and it accumulates at such a rapid pace, it's not manageable."

Johnson said when they realized the snowfall was going to be more than significant, the leadership at VFI started brainstorming on ways everyone could do his or her part. Questions like who is least affected, who has a vehicle that can get through, who can make phone calls, who can provide priority care, were all searching for answers. "We have nurses on staff for higher level of care. We also have other members who graduated to the office from a caregiver position who said, 'I can do that, I've done that before.' It was a matter of all hands on deck; we had to do whatever was needed to get things done."

Those "things" began with determining who needed help and what kind. Johnson said some of VFI's consumers have needs every day, such as being transferred from their bed. Or they may have food at home but can't access it or can't feed themselves. "It's a scary situation if people can't get to you. When care is that vital to somebody's independence, they can't go days without it."

The VFI workers made lists of who would call whom, and who was high priority and required assistance for daily activities. "We checked in with everybody, whether they live alone or not. Then we determined how to figure shifts and get caregivers there. Co-workers stepped up in an attempt to meet consumers who needed care immediately.

"The underlying, common denominator is that they were thankful we were calling to check in. Some agencies just follow state mandates, but our CEO is an individual with a disability, so it's different; she uses the services herself, so she understands the importance of how vital that care can be.

"Everyone came together to make sure everything that was needed, happened. It was tough on everybody, but it was a good reminder of who we are and why we do what we do."

For more information, call (724) 223-5115 or visit www.vficil.org.