Homeland at Home Helps Lead Discussion on Elder Care
Annual Health Care Symposium Addresses Industry Trends
Every day, families throughout our community and nation are facing difficult discussions about the care of aging loved ones. Often these conversations don’t happen until an incident occurs prompting family members to “take stock” of their loved one’s ability to live independently.
These situations are developing rapidly as the baby boom generation ages and Americans live longer than ever before. Today, 46 million adults living in the United States (15 percent of the population) are 65 or older. By 2060, that number is expected to climb to about 98 million, or 24 percent of the population (Population Reference Bureau).
Elder care, as well as the opioid crisis and medical marijuana, data and communication in hospitals, and the Amazon effect, were topics discussed at Central Penn Business Journal’s Annual Health Care Symposium held on July 17 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey. Homeland at Home served as a presenting sponsor of the event.
Barbara Goll, B.S., Community Education Liaison/Nutritionist at Homeland at Home, served as a panel member focusing on elder care. She was joined by Michael Fiaschetti, president and CEO, MediPlanConnect, and the discussion was moderated by Joel Berg, editor of Central Penn Business Journal.
The panel focused on the importance of aging in place, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”
Research shows 90 percent of individuals prefer living in their own homes as they age.
“Helping families age in place is my passion,” Barbara says. “Through our outreach efforts, I help families navigate options, including services provided by Homeland.”
Caregivers also serve as a critical link to living independently. Training can help family members learn how to care for their loved ones.
“I encourage families to start the conversation about aging in place before it’s necessary,” Barbara adds. “Provide time for a loved one to absorb the process and offer feedback before making a decision.”
Homeland at Home offers a full continuum of services to care for individuals as their needs change.
Compassionate caregivers provide an array of non-medical daily living services through Homeland HomeCare. Assistance can include, but is not limited to:
- Light housekeeping
- Errands such as grocery shopping or transportation to a doctor’s appointment
- Medication reminders and/or administration
- Oral care including suctioning
- Bathing and dressing
- Monitoring diet and appetite
- Help with feeding and meal prep
Homeland only hires certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to provide services. They are supervised and trained by licensed nurses as Direct Care Workers per Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines.
Homeland at Home also provides at-home physician-ordered medical treatment services through Homeland HomeHealth, and Homeland Hospice provides end-of-life care.
To learn more, please contact Homeland at Home at (717) 221-7890.
Strong bonds with family and friends are a common theme in Sara Slothower’s life. Loving and supportive parents shaped her childhood, and brought her to Harrisburg where she met her husband and raised her family. Friendships formed through her volunteer work ultimately brought her to Homeland Center where she has lived for the past three years. In October, Sara will celebrate her 100th birthday.
After marrying, Sara and Wilbur moved to Paxton Street where they raised their children Janet, Tom and Richard (not pictured).
This spring, Sara and Barry were featured on billboards for Homeland Center. For Mother’s Day, Tom drove his mother around Harrisburg to see the billboards. Sara proudly displays the photo used on the billboards in her room.
