Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory: Please help us limit exposure. Learn more about COVID-19 here. August 13, 2018 Community LIFE receives Fine Award recognition Established in 2008 and sponsored by The Fine Foundation and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF), the Fine Awards were created to draw attention to the critical role that teamwork plays in health care. The awards recognize local organizations that have achieved breakthroughs in safe, effective patient care. In 2013 Community LIFE received the bronze award for our work in providing quality, patient-centered end-of-life care for our participants. The quality improvement initiative was designed to improve end of life care, increase participant satisfaction, and to develop an organizational awareness that good care and judicious use of resources are not mutually exclusive. In 2018, JHF for the 10th anniversary of the Fine award, contacted past recipients to determine if the organization has been able to maintain and spread their success. Through interviews conducted by multidisciplinary teams of graduate students they explored the organizational and individual factors that: Encouraged experiments in quality improvement Contributed to sustaining and/or spreading quality improvement projects Influenced an organization-wide commitment to quality that inspires staff to identify problems and solutions as part of their daily work As a result, Community LIFE was identified as one of several organizations especially “wired for excellence”. Community LIFE will receive recognition for “team work excellence” and accept an award at an awards presentation at the Jewish Health Care Foundation on Aug 27. August 13, 2018 Finishing on a High Note: The Musical Legacy of David Peters By Nancy Kennedy Dave Peters lies in a hospital bed, surrounded by medical equipment that supports his fragile hold on life. He is a big man confined to a small space, but he has lived a broad and rich life, and he still has dreams for his life, despite a grave prognosis. Dave has been a son, a brother, a husband, and a father to two sons; he is now grandfather to seven. He has always been an outdoorsman, and he has worked as a steelworker, roofer, window installer and much more – physically demanding, tough, skillful work that enabled him to feed and nurture his family. Over twenty years ago, Dave was diagnosed with a rare and progressive form of muscular dystrophy. The disease has slowly diminished his strength and energy. Now, his disease has reached end-stage and he is bed-bound; the hands that once wielded hammers and tools so capably now are still and lie at his sides in quiet repose. They are pale, stiff and swollen, so weakened that he cannot make a fist or feed himself. But those hands have a story to tell – a life story that transcends the obvious and ordinary details of a biography, and that serves as a reminder of the unseen universe within each of us. Within those hands there are immense and perhaps unexpected capabilities, for Dave has an artistic nature. He loves to draw and paint, and especially enjoys painting birds, animals and nature scenes. He has kept this talent rather quiet, but his work was good enough to be exhibited at Penn State University about ten years ago, and he has taught art to seniors and special needs children. And that’s not all – Dave is also a pianist, self-taught, and a composer, and it is his music that is now his greatest challenge as well as his primary source of satisfaction and esteem. Modest and private, Dave does not easily talk about himself, but talking about his music brings him pride. “Music flows through me,” Dave says. “I like a variety of music, especially dramatic, suspenseful music like movie soundtracks often have. I’ve always wanted to write music, but it’s not easy to write a song. I didn’t really start writing until I met Katie, and she encouraged me to do it.” “Katie” is Kathleen Sanford, MT-BC, a board certified music therapist and Dave Peter’s number one fan. They met when Dave became a participant in Community LIFE. Katie joined the staff in 2015, when Dave was attending the day program at the Community LIFE’s Tarentum location. He was younger than most of the participants and kept mostly to himself. On one fateful day at the day center, upon hearing that Dave had an interest in music, Katie asked him to come to the piano. “I was amazed to hear him play,” she says. “He plays by ear – he can listen to a song and immediately play it. His music comes right from his heart. At first he was nervous but as we got to know each other, our relationship grew and his confidence grew. I sat with him as he played and I took notes and played it with him.” There is one song in particular that Dave and Katie have been perfecting. Titled Silencio de la Soledad, or Silence of the Lonely, it is a lush, dramatic instrumental piece that expresses the wide range of emotions that Dave has felt on his personal journey, as he struggles with his condition and the changes it has brought to his life. “It’s a sad song but is uplifting at the end,” he says. “It’s about a person who feels like he is all alone, and thinks that loneliness will never end, but it does end. The person in the song doesn’t know that, but I know it, and I play it as I have experienced it.” As his motor skills waned, Dave was no longer able to play the piano, so Katie took over. “I became his hands,” she says. “I know how he wants it to sound. I play in his room and he coaches me and critiques it. I make changes and record them on a computer program that then creates sheet music.” Music is the universal language, and music therapy is the clinical use of music, through listening, playing or creating it, to help meet the physical, emotional and social needs of individuals. Music therapists can do many things: reduce stress, relax and strengthen muscles, facilitate communication and expression of emotions, and much more. At Community LIFE, music is an integral part of the program, and a perfect fit with the organization’s emphasis on quality of life. At Community LIFE, participants identify individual goals for their lives; the staff provides opportunities and support, and a lot of creative thinking, to make those goals reality. Dave’s goal was to record and publish his music, so that his family would be able to hear and appreciate the songs and have them permanently. “Music provided Dave with a means for expressing the difficult emotions that he was experiencing with his diagnosis and increasing disability. It’s a reflection of his life,” says Katie, “and this is what music therapy can accomplish. Music therapy is about being in the moment with the music.” The unlikely partnership between this young healthcare professional and Dave Peters has been mutually beneficial. Dave sings her praises: “Katie worked magic for me. She’s a very good partner. I needed a buddy who could make this happen, and she showed up at exactly the right time and place. When I could still play, we did a duet. My music is for everyone and because of Katie, anyone will be able to hear it.” According to Katie, Dave has been an inspiration, a great partner and a teacher for her. “Dave brought me out of my shell. He opened doors for me and working with him has strengthened my skills and made me a better music therapist. He is living proof that it’s never too late to pursue a dream.” Dave’s dream was a simple one: to have his music heard. Now, his sons, David and Danny, his sisters and brothers, and his grandchildren will always have Dave’s music. They will be able to listen to the beauty he created, and it will help them honor their good and gifted loved one. When he looks back on his life, Dave says that he realizes that he has been blessed. “I tried to be a good Dad, and I’m very proud of my boys. I’ve done lots of things; I’ve been to Alaska four times and saw beautiful scenery and wildlife there. I’ve had a lot of life experience and I think my music is best appreciated by people who also have life experience. Life can be hard, and you can have times of great hardship and loneliness, but don’t despair because there will be an end to that, an uplifting end. Music always helps; music takes you inward and upward. Music lasts forever.” May 14, 2018 Community LIFE celebrates Black History Month When you first enter the McKeesport location of Community LIFE, you can’t help but notice the beauty of the environment. The space is bright, spacious and immaculate, filled with light and soft colors. You are acknowledged right away, greeted warmly by staff members whose smiles seem to say, “Come in, we’ve been expecting you!” Immediately, you feel welcome and at ease. You have a sense of being among good people. You feel safe. That feeling of being safe, comfortable and welcome matters a great deal. Some people call it inclusion; others have referred to it as belongingness. It’s so important to human well-being that it has been called one of the five most critical human needs. Everyone wants to belong, to be part of something, whether it’s a family, a work group or a group of friends. We want to be accepted and attached to others, and to interact with them in positive ways. Belonging makes us healthier and happier; it strengthens identity and boosts self-esteem. At Community LIFE McKeesport, belongingness has been elevated to an art form, and nowhere was this more evident than in the center’s celebration of Black History Month earlier this year. Originally conceived as a friendly competition among the various Community LIFE locations, the project became a mission at McKeesport, achieving far more than anyone had anticipated. In fact, to many of the staff, the experience was transformative, uniting them with synergy, renewed camaraderie, and a shared passion for their mission. The experience of the staff underscored the importance of belongingness, and the theme of Black History Month served as the perfect vehicle, with its messages of inclusion, mutual respect and unity within diversity. Staff members from Activities, Social Work, the Day Center and the Clinic have shared their personal thoughts about this remarkable group project that opened minds and hearts in unexpected ways. According to Andy Rockenstein, CTRS, who coordinated the project at McKeesport with the Recreational Therapy team, there were challenges facing the staff at the start of the project: all that wide open space in the new facility was actually something of an obstacle. “We have this great new building and we’ve been gradually adapting to it. We’re a close team, and in this setting we’re spread out across a much bigger space,” Andy explained. “The challenge has been to maintain our cohesiveness, and Black History Month brought us back together, at exactly the right time.” The project was kicked off on January 31 with a video presentation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. That provided inspiration and a general theme of open arms, embracing everyone. Individual departments were invited to participate, and they took the ball and ran with it, spotlighting various and often overlooked aspects of Black History. Further inspiration and local flavor came from the recently published book, Smoketown, Mark Whitaker’s brilliant treatise on the black renaissance that took place in the 1920’s through the 1950’s, largely in Pittsburgh. Smoketown spotlights Pittsburgh’s significant – and often underestimated – role in creating this renaissance in jazz, journalism, baseball, popular culture and community life. Andy and the recreational therapy team made materials available to every department so that they could create poster boards for display in the halls, featuring the elements of black history that they had chosen. “We gave the staff no specifics,” Andy says. “We gave them supplies only. They had the ideas. Their creativity and diversity were incredible.” The medical staff decided to make their board about the women of NASA, as depicted in the award winning film, Hidden Figures. Traci Gergley, medical records, says that the medical suite is women-driven, and the film celebrated a remarkable achievement of black women mathematicians: “We all saw the movie and loved it. We did this together; we work like an ensemble in the medical suite. Each one brings something unique and we love being here at Community LIFE McKeesport.” Social workers Elizabeth Zimmerman-Clayton, LSW and Chris Korey, MSW, did several poster boards. One presented African American women, including singer Nina Simone, who have had historical impact; another featured African American men who were pioneers in social work. They also did an all-Pittsburgh poster that focused on August Wilson. Elizabeth and Chris feel that the creativity of the Black History posters reflects the creativity of the staff: “We think outside the box to fulfill our mission of helping to keep people in their homes,” says Elizabeth. “It means that there are no silos here. We have roles but are not stuck in them; we support each other.” Chris says that the poster boards, on display in the main halls for four weeks, made a strong statement about Community LIFE’s commitment to social justice and service to the community: “The boards sent a powerful message of support, inclusion and empowerment.” Music is the universal language, and at Community LIFE McKeesport, it is spoken every day. Bonnie Shaner, MA, MT-BC, music therapist, took advantage of the opportunity of Black History Month to demonstrate how music can unite humanity. “We wanted to look at how far we have come as a country, and how we can inspire continuous change. We did a lot of different things with music; we made chants, called Chants for Change. We brought in musicians and a gospel choir to perform. We used African American hymnals and studied African American composers. We read poems and prayers. Music tells a story, and a song from an individual’s era or culture speaks to them. Our team is always cohesive and Black History Month pulled us forward, to more openness and learning. People shared more. There were many avenues to explore and many forms of expression.” For Al Freeman, Day Center program assistant and home health aide, Black History Month was a pleasant surprise. “I thought I knew black history, but I learned a lot of new things. We all did. A lot of research and a lot of work went into this project. I give credit to Andy and his crew, mostly, but everyone was involved. The best part was seeing how much people responded to it; staff members, participants, family members and visitors all stopped to browse through and read the posters. We covered everything: Martin Luther King Jr., the Tuskeegee airmen, Beyonce – every subject was presented very well. Being chosen as the winner was an honor, but then it’s an honor just to work here. I’ve been here 12 years and it gives me joy and satisfaction to do this work, with these people.” Dondi Thomas, activities assistant and a brand new father, has only been with Community LIFE McKeesport for a few months, but he has previous experience working with older adults in healthcare. “I love it here, learning about the participants and engaging them with activities like bingo, aerobics and Loving Hearts. For Black History Month, we made boards that had biographies of successful African Americans. We also had folklore stories and music with African drums. We got positive responses; everyone really listened to the stories and enjoyed them.” His co-worker, Kathlene Goodman, also a new activities assistant, echoes Dondi’s thoughts. “I enjoyed helping to plan the activities. The boards were very popular, and everyone pulled together and had fun making them. I did one with Martin Luther King Jr. quotations and people loved the quotes.” Ashley Ellick, an activities assistant for two years, is in charge of the monthly calendar, so she is an expert at planning activities. She made a poster board with quotes and bios for Maya Angelou, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Frederic Douglas and others. “The quotes were popular; it was a learning experience for everyone about black history. For the staff it was something new, and it gave back to us in a lot of ways. Our department is growing, so we have new people, and this project united us. Everyone wanted to be part of it.” For Courtney Hampton, also an activities assistant, winning the top prize in the competition was just the icing on the cake. The greatest rewards came from simply participating in the project, she says. “We first showed a video about how important it is to explore black history, and especially local black history; it’s important for everyone, and we have to know it in order to pass this knowledge to future generations. The challenge was to incorporate the theme into all the activities, but we did it. My ideas were August Wilson and local black musicians. The project was collaborative, but then at McKeesport everything is collaborative.” Terri Humphries, lead program assistant, has worked at Community LIFE for 17 years. She is responsible for coordinating the operations of the day center, making sure participants get their needs met and get to the right destinations at the right time. Terri made a poster board focused on the LBGQT community. “There was a lot of information and it was all very educational. Everyone was invested and open to learning new things.” Kirsten Crowe, director of operations for Community LIFE, says that the Black History Month project was an “all hands on deck” experience that was ultimately about inclusion. “Black History Month is important to the staff and to participants. We hoped it would promote the feeling of community, and it did that. We saw a lot of interdisciplinary collaboration and it all came together as a whole. Everyone became invested in it, and their interest was heartfelt. The creativity was amazing; people used music, food, photography and quotations to express various aspects. Every center did a great job.” Kevin Truscott, activities assistant, is also the greeter who mans the front desk and welcomes visitors. During Black History Month, he directed visitors to the display of poster boards, encouraging them to view them all. “People lingered over the boards. Some were surprised by them, by all the information and diversity. They didn’t know about the richness and importance of black American history. It educated them, and it also educated us. It was a great experience and it changed our culture, bringing us even closer.” Nicknamed the Mayor of Community LIFE, Kevin creates the first impression for new visitors to the Center, and it’s a strongly positive one. He believes that greetings can make or break a person’s day. When people come and go at the Center, he acknowledges them, and that small gesture sends a powerful message of inclusion and belonging. Kevin says that these values are shared by every staff member and that they come directly from Center director Hailey Juliano. “We all help and support each other, and that comes from the example Hailey sets in how she treats people.” Hailey Juliano has nothing but praise and admiration for the staff and their achievement, citing it as a great demonstration of their dedication, creativity and compassion. “Black History Month often focuses on the same, well known people, but we were able to show that there is so much more,” she says. “I hoped for some of everything, and the staff delivered. Everyone brought something new, and it became a way to change what people know about black history. When you think you know it all, you’ve shut yourself down. You have to stay open to new things, to be open minded. I think Black History Month enhanced our community and teamwork, and teamwork is important here; we need each other in order to care well for our participants.” Hailey says that Black History Month gave the McKeesport team a way to work in the new space, where there is more physical separation than before. “We were able to celebrate it differently because of our new environment; before, we had limited space for activities and projects. It did bring the staff together again. The Black History Month project became a transformational experience; it brought pride and empowerment to the staff and participants.” Juanita Sweeney, a four-year participant from Monroeville and the Participant Council representative, describes Community LIFE as life changing, and says that for her, the events of Black History Month were educational and motivating. “All the events and the boards for Black History Month sent the message that we are all the same and we have to love each other. It was wonderful to see people walking the halls, reading the boards and looking at everything. The true meaning of Black History Month is that we are one family and one country. It’s just like Community LIFE; we are all different and unique here, but we are a large family.” January 26, 2018 Guide to Good Health Article Features Medical Director Dr. Kalpana Char. Articles READ THE FULL ARTICLE January 19, 2018 One program helping seniors stay at home gets no boost from another When the state recently transitioned some 85,000 older and/or disabled southwestern Pennsylvanians into a new long-term care assistance program, a group of providers already offering comprehensive, hands-on services to the frail elderly expected to gain some of them. READ THE FULL ARTICLE November 28, 2017 Wolf Administration Celebrates Living Independence For the Elderly’s 20th Anniversary in the Commonwealth Articles, Healthcare DHS continues to serve more people in the community Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Department of Human Services recognized the 20th Anniversary of the Living Independence For the Elderly (LIFE) program in the commonwealth. LIFE provides services to more than 6,000 Pennsylvanians in 41 counties across the state. “The Wolf Administration is committed to serving people in the community, and LIFE is an option that allows older Pennsylvanians to live independently while receiving services and supports that meet the health and personal needs of the individual,” said DHS Acting Secretary Teresa Miller. “Today, we celebrate this program for its 20 years of contributing to the quality of life of the seniors in our commonwealth.” LIFE is a managed care program that provides a comprehensive all-inclusive package of medical and supportive services. The program was established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and is known nationally as the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). All of the PACE providers in Pennsylvania have ‘LIFE’ in their name. The first LIFE program agreements were signed in 1997 with services implemented in Pennsylvania in 1998. “While we prepare to launch Community HealthChoices in the southwest region of Pennsylvania, it’s critical that folks know that LIFE is also an option,” said Miller. “We want our older Pennsylvanians to be aware that there are choices available.” To be eligible for LIFE, you must: Be age 55 or older Meet the level of care needs for a skilled nursing facility or a special rehabilitation facility Meet the financial requirements as determined by your local County Assistance Office or be able to privately pay Reside in an area served by a LIFE provider Be able to be safely served in the community as determined by a LIFE provider Some of the many services available under the LIFE program include dental, meals, medical and non-medical transportation, LIFE Center services, nursing care, personal care, social services, recreational activities, and more. LIFE also fully integrates Medicare and Medicaid services for individuals eligible for both programs. To locate a LIFE provider in your area click here, or call the toll-free CHC Helpline at 1-844-824-3655 (TTY 1-833-254-0690). November is Living Independence for the Elderly month and Governor Wolf issued a proclamation declaring it as such. For more information on LIFE, visit www.dhs.pa.gov. MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Kostelac, DHS, 717.425.7606 October 18, 2017 Coleen Gacesa named 2017 Outstanding Nurse by NPA Coleen Gacesa, RN, BS, WCC, CCP, Education Manager, received the 2017 Outstanding Nursing Award. The National PACE Association (NPA) has created several awards to recognize organizations and professionals who have made significant contributions on behalf of PACE.The Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award was created by the Nursing Consortium. The award recognizes a PACE nurse who provides and promotes the highest quality nursing care for PACE participants and who has contributed significantly to PACE by developing, promoting and ensuring quality, evidence-based nursing services while embracing and promoting the ideals of PACE, including person-centered care and empowerment of participants, families and staff. For the past 5 years, Coleen has led the education department for Community LIFE. As a result of her leadership, the department has thrived and plays an important role in the success of our organization. Her contributions have resulted in improved quality of care for participants and improved staff satisfaction. Some of her accomplishments include developing and leading the Mentor Program, implementation of Black Board training and development of Care Coordination Curriculum for the nurse case managers. Coleen is wound care certified by The National Alliance of Wound Care & Ostomy. October 18, 2017 LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE ESPAÑOL РУССКИЙ ITALIANO DEUTSCHE KREYÒL AYISYEN DEITSCH ગુજરાતી 繁體中文 عَرَبِيّ ភាសាខ្មែរ 한국어 TIẾNG VIỆT FRANÇAIS POLSKIE PORTUGUÊS CMS APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE PARTICIPANTS RIGHTS PRIVACY NOTICE GRIEVANCES AND APPEALS ©2017 Community LIFE. All Rights Reserved.