Senior Care Greene provides nursing home alternative
WAYNESBURG — A new nursing home alternative has arrived in Waynesburg and is looking to expand its membership throughout the community.
Located at 55 Sugar Run Road, Senior Care Greene celebrated its grand opening recently.
“There is definitely a large elderly population in Greene County,” said Michelle Rockwell, outreach coordinator for Senior Care Greene. “I know people who have lived here for most of their lives, and they want to continue living at home. That is the objective of our program.”
According to the SeniorLIFE website, programs like Senior Care Greene offer “an ideal alternative to nursing home placement, providing members with a comprehensive care plan that allows them to live at home longer and happier.”
Senior Care Greene joins the SeniorLIFE locations in Washington and Fayette counties in their mission to enhance the living conditions of residents that are 55 years of age or older.
“The state sees a need for the increase,” said Rockwell. “[The government] wants a LIFE Program to cover each county. Greene County was the next step.”
SeniorLIFE currently services Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland and York counties.
The Greene County location is a smaller provider of SeniorLIFE Washington and offers adult day care and other care services.
The most crucial and unique aspect of Senior Care Greene is its day program, Rockwell said.
“We encourage [seniors] to come to the day center,” she said.
“We can provide them with hot meals, activities and socializing. It is important for them to be social, especially since many of them are homebound.”
Another benefit of the center is its transportation services, which may be difficult to come by for some seniors.
“If they are no longer driving or are without transportation, we can provide this for them,” Rockwell said.
Because of recent changes to healthcare guidelines, more seniors are eligible for health insurance like Medicare through the care center.
Seniors that previously did not meet the criteria for coverage due to income or other factors are now more likely able to qualify through Senior Care Greene.
Each of the various LIFE programs in the area hopes to foster independent living and offers a variety of services both at the center and within their member’s homes.
The wide array of services includes healthcare, housekeeping, laundry, meals, personal care services and various activities and forms of entertainment.
The personal nature of the care center also promotes the safety and well-being of its elderly members.
“They’ll have someone checking in on them,” said Rockwell.
Senior Care Greene encourages those in need, as well as their loved ones, to explore their options in senior care services.
The center is currently accepting applications.
Those interested should contact Kathryn Moomaw, adult day coordinator of Senior Care Greene, at 724-852-2273.
Most information on SeniorLIFE can also be obtained by calling toll-free at 1-877-998-LIFE (5433).