Loss of independence is a huge issue for many people as they grow older. As physical abilities wane, the need for assistance grows, in many cases to the point of having to move into assisted-living facilities. Recently, the state of New Jersey has been the scene of an experimental project aimed at providing another option.
Just over a month ago, the ribbon was cut on The South Jersey Healthcare LIFE (Living Independently For Elders) center, one of 81 LIFE centers in the U.S. that are part of the National PACE Association, a Medicare program for adults over 55 living with disabilities. The concept is simple: to create a place where seniors can find therapy, programming, and other resources and activities while still living in their own homes.
Thomas Barlas of the Press of Atlantic City describes it as following:
The LIFE Center allows clients to use adult daycare, participate in different activities and eat nutritious meals. The program also provides clients with a central location where doctors, nurses and other health care professionals can both provide treatment and monitor changes in a clients’ health.
The creation of a space that centralizes access to health care, promotes socialization, and provides both mental and physical stimulation is an invaluable resource for seniors.
Jim Cook, Jr. describes the facility in his recent coverage of the opening on NJ.com:
The facility entrance opens into a large three-part activity room including a kitchen and television area, a relaxation area with a fireplace, and a therapy area for craft-making.
On the side of the facility is a smaller lounge and an exit door that opens up into a walkway with an overhang that buses and cars can pick up participants from the facility without the hindrance of inclement weather.
So far, this sounds like your average higher quality assisted-living facility: social areas, TV, accessible parking, etc. Once you move past those features, you’ll find what really illustrates the difference:
Passing through a hallway with a series of one-on-one therapy and medical service rooms is a larger physical and occupational therapy room with walking steps, a bike and many other devices to aid in keeping seniors active.
Keeping physically active as well as socially active is crucial. Combining exercise facilities with health care access consolidates resources for physical well-being. As we all know, access makes all the difference.
There is one more issue that needs to be addressed, and all you have to do is go down one more hallway to find it. Cook writes, “Also included is a special area for seniors living with physical and memory disabilities that lose energy quickly.”
Body, mind, society, and health. These are the four things that LIFE provides to its participants without making them give up the independence of living in their own homes.
This location is the third in New Jersey and the 81st in the U.S. As more open, we will have more accurate info about the results, but, at this stage, all indicators point to a successful alternative to assisted living for seniors.
Source: “SJH LIFE offers seniors health care while retaining independent living,” NJ.com, 07/21/11
Source: “South Jersey Healthcare will open new senior citizen care facility in Vineland,” Press of Atlantic City, 07/22/11
Image by Lorkan, used under its Creative Commons license.
