New Clinic Helps Older Adults and Those with Mobility Impairments in Affordable Housing Apartments
Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, one of western Pennsylvania’s largest aging services providers, is opening a first-of-its-kind on-site health clinic to serve the residents of its affordable housing apartments in the Washington area.
The clinic will be located inside Bellmead Apartments, 815 S. Main St., Washington, which serves about 120 residents. A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held at 10am Thursday, March 16 at Bellmead Apartments.
The new, on-site clinic means Bellmead residents can make doctor’s appointments and visit the clinic without having to leave the apartment building.
Residents of two other nearby apartments operated by the Network — HaveLoch Commons and Heritage House of Houston — can schedule appointments to receive care directly inside their apartments. These two apartments serve a combined 90 residents.
Curana Health, a primary care medical provider group, is partnering with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network in this endeavor. Dr. Sathia Natarajan will serve as the primary physician and oversee the medical care at the clinic. She already serves as the medical director at the Southmont skilled nursing community on the same campus.
Other healthcare professionals at the clinic include: Dr. Reda Shedeed, board-certified in family medicine; Shelia Phillips, certified registered nurse practitioner; and Danielle Cass, certified physician assistant. The clinic accepts all major insurances and will also host wellness programs integrating into the established wellness and service coordination already provided to residents.
This is the first collaborative healthy living model that integrates service coordination and primary care with a health clinic to be located in an affordable housing community in western Pennsylvania and the first Curana Health Clinic in supportive housing in Pennsylvania, according to Celeste Golonski, senior vice president of strategic initiatives for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network.
“We understand the healthcare system is overwhelming, complicated, and frustrating — especially for seniors,” Golonski said. “Integrating service coordination with a primary care clinic inside our apartment community removes significant barriers and helps older adults navigate the healthcare system more easily. Our goal is for every senior to get the care and services they need, when needed, in the way they choose.”
Golonski also serves as president of SeniorCare Network, the affordable housing affiliate of Presbyterian SeniorCare Network.
This on-site primary care initiative was made possible by a $500,000 Healthy Aging Challenge grant from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. Presbyterian SeniorCare Network anticipates replicating this model within several of its affordable housing communities throughout the Network, tentatively by late summer. The overall effort is an outgrowth of the new Center for Innovation and Care Transformation at Presbyterian SeniorCare Network.
Residents were involved, too, and offered their opinions by serving on focus groups and responding to surveys.
“Curana Health is very excited to work with Presbyterian Senior Care Network by infusing primary care with their established service coordination to meet the social and physical needs of older adults,” said Amy Young, senior vice president with Curana Health.
About Presbyterian SeniorCare Network
For 95 years, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network has been focused on Making Aging Easier ® for older adults and their families. Presbyterian SeniorCare Network serves more than 6,500 older adults through in-home and community-based programs across 11 Western Pennsylvania counties. Presbyterian SeniorCare Network is known as a Center of Excellence in three areas – Dementia Care, Rehabilitation and End-of-Life Care – and has launched the Center for Innovation and Care Transformation to improve access to care and transform the care experience for older adults. To learn more, please visit www.SrCare.org.
About SeniorCare Network
SeniorCare Network, an affiliate of Presbyterian SeniorCare, owns and/or manages more than 30 apartment communities across western Pennsylvania for lower-income older adults and people living with disabilities. Residents meet age and income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SeniorCare Network enriches its residents’ experiences by integrating service coordinators into affordable housing. These service coordinators help residents connect with community resources, serve as resident advocates, and empower seniors to live more independent and fulfilling lives.
About Curana Health
Curana Health is a provider-led, primary and post-acute organization focused on senior living communities and senior living residents. Curana Health is committed to redefining and improving how health care is delivered in senior living communities to ensure residents get outstanding care and clinicians are able to practice in a highly fulfilling and rewarding environment. Curana Health works in more than 600 senior living communities including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, memory care communities, and Life Plan Communities / Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
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