Hospital News, 10-1-2011 - Western Pennsylvania Healthcare News

Issue No. 10 wphospitalnews.com| 23Roy Stinson: Profile in EldercareRoy Stinson was tired of moving. The son of a carpenter turned sharecropper inthe depression in the west, his father moved the family regularly to find work. “Dadwouldn’t stay in any place too long. If he couldn’t get work, we’d move around thecountry.” Roy, himself, bounced around. He left home when he was 15, traveledaround the west, rode the rails for a while, and worked many different jobs as a carpenteror in farming. After his wife died in 2002, after 62 years of marriage, Roystayed settled in. But he still had one more move to make, one he would later saywas the best decision he’d ever made.By the time Roy was 88, he was a frequent visitor to his local emergency room.He could not get a handle on health. “It seemed like I was there every other week,and I may have been.” Out of concern for the safety to others, he gave up driving.He was alone much of the time, although he’d tell you that wasn’t a problem for him.But all of this was a problem for his daughter, Rebecca Guay. She supportedhim in moving back to Pittsburgh and later in enrolling in LIFE Pittsburgh’s programof all-inclusive care for the elderly. Because he resides in Allegheny Countyand is financially eligible, there is no cost.ElderCareRoy may forget hismedications, but his mindis sharp as a tack. And heloves the attention he getsat the day health center.“Everybody’s nice,” hesays. “A lot of nice peopleover there.”A recreation specialistinterrupts our interview to give him a hug. Roy says, “How’s the kids?”“Getting big and sassy,” she replies.Without missing a beat he quips, “Just look who they bond to.”Looking around the center, it’s hard to tell whether Roy’s a favorite, becauseeveryone gets so much love and attention. “I think that’s one of the things that’s socritical to my father’s health,” says Rebecca. Certainly getting checked up regularlyand taking medications is essential. But so is the attention he receives. I wouldn’tbe surprised if that wasn’t the bigger part of it.”Roy says he really appreciates that whatever he needs, there’s someone to provideit for him. He visits the center twice a week from around 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Heloves the games, the medial attention, chapel, and says the food is “out of this world.”Roy has two other children, a daughter in Oklahoma and a son in Oregon, and“a trainload of grandchildren.” While Roy really enjoys his independence, he alsoenjoys all the attention. “I can live with people or without them. But I’d rather havethem around.”Are you looking forExperienced Health CareProfessionals to work atyour facility?Recreation Assistant, Jamie Armes-Opoku with Roy StinsonThe LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) programs provide all-inclusivemedical and other services to nursing-facility-eligible participants 55 and older,with the goal of having them remain safe and independent in their homes. LIFE’scoordinated plan of care includes all medical, social, and daily living support. Primarycare and community services are provided through the Day Health Centersand through an in-home program according to an individual’s needs. Services includecomprehensive medical care, including outpatient and inpatient services,emergency care, podiatry, dentistry, hearing and eye care, diagnostic tests, lab testsand procedures, full prescription coverage, physical, occupational, speech and recreationaltherapy, nutritional support, transportation to and from the day health centersand to medical appointments, medical supplies and durable medical equipment.There are no fees whatsoever for financially eligible participants.“Dad had been floundering with all these doctors appointments and not beingable to keep track of them or knowing how to get them,” says Rebecca. “He waseating out of cans or microwaved frozen foods – and not much else. He kept losingtrack of his meds. He wasn’t able to clean his home. Exactly all the things that LIFEPittsburgh addresses for him.”Roy, now 90, has been with LIFE Pittsburgh for two years and, in that time, hasnot required a single visit to the Emergency Room. He says, “I had been in suchpoor health. Sick a lot and very uncomfortable. Seemed like every time I turnedaround I was in the Emergency Room. Since I’ve been a member of LIFE Pittsburgh,I haven’t been. I get the medicines there and regular attention from thenurses and doctors. They come to my house every evening to ensure I’ve taken mymedications. I never forget it in the morning but I do in the evening when I’m busywith puzzles or reading.”Rebecca is thrilled with his care. “I no longer worry about him – and I used toall the time. We’re very close, we talk every day. LIFE Pittsburgh is very goodabout including me in my father’s care. They not only don’t mind my participation,they welcome it. They know that taking care of nursing-facility-eligible folks likeDad is a team effort.”She adds, “He once said to me, ‘the Bible says when you’re older, the child shalllead.’ And he believes that’s the right thing, as do I. He jokingly calls me BossyPants because I stay on him about his care, but he knows it’s for his overall healthand well being. You better believe I stay on it.Roy adds, “Rebecca talks to the nurses and stays abreast of everything and sharesinformation about me that they’d need to know. She knows more about my healththan I do.”Place Your CAREER OPPORTUNITY AD inWestern Pennsylvania Hospital News & More!For advertising information, call Harvey Kart at 412.475.9063or hdkart@aol.com