Published in the Network Pulse, a Publication of St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network
April 2010 Edition

Elderly patients can stay home and get the skilled medical care they need in a new program offered by Presbyterian Senior Living along with medical leadership from St. Luke's Hospital & Health Network.

Designed for individuals in Lehigh and Northampton counties aged 55 and older who are eligible for a nursing home, the program – called everyday LIFE – allows them to remain at home, maintain independence and promote family relationships. "LIFE is an acronym for Living Independence for the Elderly," explains Wendy Weaver, the program's executive director.

"The program focuses on the whole person," Wendy says. "Its mission is to keep the person who might otherwise have to be in a nursing home in his or her own home. We are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year."

Opened in May 2009, the program operates from 2045 Westgate Drive off Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem. Dr. Donna Miller is the medical director for the program. Patients are required to use the program's primary care physician, Dr. Kathleen Meehan of St. Luke's Physician Group, after they are admitted to the program. Dr. Meehan is a member of the everyday LIFE interdisciplinary team, which includes: nurses, a social worker, physical and recreational therapists, personal care attendants, a dietician and the program's van driver.

In addition, St. Luke's Physician Group provides specialists when needed by everyday LIFE patients. "St. Luke's has been a fabulous partner," Wendy states.

An individual plan of care is developed for each participant in the program. The plan may include care in the patient's home covering times when family members are not available; respite care in everyday LIFE's adult day care facility; and medical and therapy services.

The adult day facility offers opportunities for socialization for the participant. Transportation is provided from the client's home to everyday LIFE's location. Medication and medical equipment – such as walkers or wheelchairs – are coordinated by the care team and provided under the program. For participants who are Medicare and Medicaid eligible, there is no deductible or co-pay.

Virginia Wagner, senior adult services administrator at St. Luke's, says that by participating in the new program, the Network is providing medical leadership in bringing this model of care to the community. "This segment of the population is very important to St. Luke's," Virginia says. "The continuity of care this program provides is a wonderful option."

Everyday LIFE is one of 15 programs in Pennsylvania following a national model of care known as a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Because the term PACE is used for Pennsylvania's Prescription drug program for seniors, the LIFE acronym is used here. The all-inclusive care model was first developed in On Lok, a community in San Francisco, Calif., where families had a philosophy of caring for loved ones at home. Wendy says that Pennsylvania has been one of the states that most aggressively adopted the model.

Many families and medical professionals are not yet aware that the program exists, according to Wendy and Virginia. Since the opening of everyday LIFE last spring, open houses, presentations to physicians and other activities have been used to increase awareness of this option for senior care.

The process of placing a patient in the program can take up to two months, Wendy explains. Physicians and other medical professionals who may want to refer patients to the program are invited to tour the everyday LIFE facility. To arrange a personal tour, please call 610-954-5433 (LIFE).