|
|
Attention All Care Coordinators!
Find out about these topics in the Summer 2021 edition of the People Inc. Care Coordinator Connection quarterly e-newsletter: People Certified Home Health, Elmwood Health Center primary care patients to move to Evergreen Health, Niagara Falls Afternoon Respite, “On Our Way @Wayside,” COVID-19 resources, apartments accepting applications and more.
| |
|
| People Certified Home Health Accepting Referrals Set up presentation for
more information
Did you know that People Certified Home Health is
the only agency in Western New York that provides specialized home health care to people with developmental disabilities? People Certified Home Health was established as an affiliate of People Inc.
for those with short-term health needs, which can be cared for by in-home nurses and rehabilitation therapists to promote the health and wellness of people you support. The emphasis is on treating acute conditions, by providing brief appropriate house visits. Our focus is on proven, quality care, which:
- Specializes in supporting people with developmental disabilities
- Provides patients care in the comfort of their own home to enhance their wellbeing and regain independence
- Offers more cost-effective services than alternative long-term care options
Who is supported? People 18 years old and older with and without developmental disabilities at home (including certified settings and IRAs).
What type of services are provided? Intermittent Skilled Nursing; Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; Nutrition and Medical Social Work.
What are the fees? Home Health Services are covered by most insurance plans, subject to coverage criteria and in some instances, copays, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
There are many times that someone would benefit from our People Certified Home Health, including: Treatment for new medical diagnoses, such as diabetes, cardiac and lung diseases; wound care and skin breakdown; frequent hospital emergency room visits; after an injury, surgery or hospital; age-related conditions and for assistance with medication management.
To make a referral, for more information or to arrange for a presentation:
Contact Jake Wilkins, RN, vice president, People Home Health Services, at jwilkins@people-inc.org or 716.566.4814
| |
| People Inc. Elmwood Health Center Primary Care Patients to Move to Evergreen Health
In our Winter 2021 issue of our Care Coordinator Connection e-newsletter, news about the Elmwood Health Center, an affiliate of People Inc., was announced. The Elmwood Health Center will transfer their primary care patients to Evergreen Health. Effective October 4, 2021, primary healthcare (Adult and Pediatric Medicine, Gynecology, Podiatry and Neurology Services) will be transferred to Evergreen Health at a newly-expanded health center. Patient medical records will be transferred to the custody of Evergreen Health. Rehab Services (Article 16) that were provided by the Elmwood Health Center will also be offered at this new building through People Inc. Rehabilitative Health Services.
We’re pleased to share that our current medical providers will also transfer to Evergreen Health. There will be no interruption in the delivery of patient care. Effective October 4, People Inc. Rehabilitative Health Services and Evergreen Health will begin providing their services, at a newly-constructed medical facility at 800 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo (corner of Elmwood and Hertel Avenues). Pharmacy services through Evergreen Health will also be offered at a later date. The new building will continue to be owned by People Inc., with the health center and pharmacy operated under Evergreen Health. The building will also include the following: People Inc. Rehabilitative Health Services (formerly EHC Rehab), including our Wheelchair Clinic; and People First Mobility, a for profit entity of People Inc., offering durable medical equipment and wheelchairs; as well as ECMC Dental Services.
The Elmwood Health Center will continue to operate at 2128 Elmwood Avenue and close on October 1. Patients who currently use the Elmwood Health Center Patient Portal (Follow My Health) will no longer have access to it, as of the closing date. Evergreen Health will provide assistance with setting up a new patient portal after the transition.
We are extremely grateful to the Elmwood Health Center team for their outstanding commitment to providing high-quality care, proven by the loyal patient base. We’re confident that Evergreen Health will continue to uphold an excellent reputation, while providing patients with exceptional service delivery.
Info: If you, or people you support, have any questions about the Elmwood Health Center transition, call Frank Azzarelli at 716.566.5006.
| |
| New Niagara Falls Afternoon Respite
Accepting Applicants
We are proud to announce that we are opening a new program in Niagara Falls, NY, and are accepting applicants. The People Inc. Niagara Falls Afternoon Respite will be located at 4455 Porter Road, Niagara Falls, for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 13-21, to be available Monday through Friday, from 2 to 6 p.m. Fees are accepted through HCBS Medicaid Waiver or private pay. The site is not able to administer medications. Transportation is provided to and from the program for students from the Niagara Falls School District. A snack is provided upon arrival.
While at this program, students enjoy a fun and safe environment where they have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities with staff and fellow students, including board game tournaments, cooking classes, arts and crafts and more. There is also regular access to a gymnasium for physical activities and a low-stimulus quiet area, which can be utilized for watching movies, playing the games or reading.
| |
| “On Our Way @Wayside” Accepting Applicants
People Inc. was pleased to hold a Housewarming Celebration for its “On Our Way @Wayside” project this past June. Located in Hamburg, NY, this new project currently has two openings. The residence provides people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a space to live and build important life skills. Three tenants at a time will live at Wayside for a three to nine-month period and their progress will be tracked monthly through an assessment process. The residence consists of three separate pods/en suites. Staff will be present at limited, set times to work on skills for independent living. The larger common spaces will allow for group learning activities on cooking, cleaning, laundry, budgeting and mobility training. “On Our Way @Wayside” will help provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to gain independence by being progressively responsible for all aspects of their “next step” community apartment, while living in a safe practice model.
Features: Utilities included, air conditioned, accessible/barrier-free with walk-in showers, laundry facilities on site, Wi-Fi and cable in the common area and located near a bus line. Guidelines and more information is included in the “On Our Way @Wayside” brochure.
To make a referral or for more info: Contact our Admissions Department in Western New York at admissions@people-inc.org or call 716.880.3700
| |
| Environmental Modifications (E-mods)/
Adaptive Technologies Available
Use online Environmental Modifications application
Applying for People Inc. Environmental Modifications
(E-mods) has never been easier! No longer is there a need to go to the office for printing or physical signatures. The latest version of the application can be completed online. Simply follow the link and fill out the Google form. Once care coordinators have completed this online form, the information will then be sent to a project development coordinator, who will work with care coordinators and families to acquire all intake paperwork. After it has left intake, it will move on to our project managers and clinician, who will do a virtual assessment to review accessibility conditions. People Inc. will also coordinate with an architect when needed to safely meet program and local requirements.
To learn more info: Contact Anthony Rushford, project director, at arushford@people-inc.org
Buffalo and the Southern Tier: Call 716.880.3815
Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions: Call 585.719.3417
| |
|
Virtual Training for Care Coordinators Announced for Thursday, September 23
People Inc. invites interested care coordinators to join us on Thursday, September 23, as we host our monthly virtual “Lunch and Learn” workshop from noon to 1 p.m. The topic of Family Reimbursement will be presented by Kim Russi. Registration is required. Your questions and active participation is welcome during the workshop. The presentation will cover:
- How the program works
- The paperwork
- Importance of providing FI/budget info
- What is and is not eligible for reimbursement
- People Inc. process
To register or for info: Contact Kim Russi at krussi@people-inc.org or 585.719.3424 by Monday, September 20. Registration links will be provided via email to those who register.
| |
| COVID-19 Resources
We are grateful to care coordinators and health professionals for their continued commitment to adapt and to assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Our focus remains on the safety of the people we support and our staff. The People Inc. team will continue to operate in a proactive, precautionary manner, with a primary goal of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for people we support and our staff throughout the global pandemic. Please review the following information and share with people and families you support.
The following resources are available:
- Families are welcome to call group homes and programs with specific questions.
- A Coronavirus Phone Line is available for families to call at 716.817.7445.
- An afterhours Coronavirus hotline is available for families and people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to share questions. The number is 716.529.6505.
- Concerns may also be addressed by emailing COVIDconcern@people-inc.org.
- The People Inc. Advocacy Department continues to help people who receive supports stay connected and informed through Zoom video and phone conferences. Our Advocacy Phone Line is available for people we support to ask non-emergency questions by calling 716.322.7070.
| |
| Affordable Apartments Accepting Applications Locations in Erie and
Niagara Counties
People Inc. Affordable Apartments provide
reasonably-priced, safe apartments in our
community to those who are income-eligible.
Each apartment consists of one or two bedrooms, kitchen with appliances, bathroom and a living/dining area. Some of these communities are for people 18 and over and others have an age requirement of 55 and over. Adaptable apartments available, with some that are specifically designed for people who have mobility and vision challenges or for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Our Affordable Apartments Services located throughout Erie and Niagara counties, are accepting applications.
Locations for the Olmsted Apartments, managed by People Inc., include the following (preferences for people with physical disabilities or vision impairments are provided):
- Austin Manor Apartments: 395 Tonawanda Street, Buffalo, NY
- Elizabeth Harvey Apartments: 525 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda, NY
- Gratwick Manor Apartments: 840 Tonawanda Street, Buffalo, NY
- Haskell Stovroff Apartments: 30 Alpine Place, Cheektowaga, NY
- Nelson Hopkins Apartments: 5562 Davison Road, Lockport, NY
The apartments listed below, with requirements, are also accepting applications:
- Grant Street Apartments, 25 Grant Street, North Tonawanda, NY:
25 Grant Street, North Tonawanda, NY: 18+ years of age and who are income-eligible
(affordable rent); intellectually/developmentally disabled. - Highland School Apartments, 105 Highland Avenue, Tonawanda, NY:
105 Highland Avenue, Tonawanda, NY: 18+ years of age and who are income-eligible
(affordable rent); traumatic brain injury (TBI), intellectually/developmentally disabled.
Currently, a two-bedroom unit with hearing and vision accommodations is available.
- Linwood Lafayette Senior Apartments, 637 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY:
637 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY: 55+ years of age and who are income-eligible (mixed-income); intellectually/developmentally disabled. Market rate units available. Varying rates apply, based on income.
| |
| People Inc. Senior Living Now Accepting Applications
Do you assist a family or know someone who needs to downsize from their home or remove the worry of household maintenance? People Inc. Senior Living apartments provide maintenance-free apartments for independent older adults age 62 and up who are income-eligible. Many apartment locations throughout Western New York are currently accepting locations, including in Amherst, Angola, Blasdell, Buffalo (border of Cheektowaga) and South Buffalo, Gowanda*, Grand Island, Lackawanna, Lockport (border of Amherst), Springville and Wheatfield (border of North Tonawanda).
*Our Gowanda location provides HUD Section 202 Affordable Housing and NYS Tax Credit apartments for seniors age 62+. Accessible unit available. Amenities vary. TTD/TTY: 1.800.662.1220
Two benefits of People Inc. Senior Living are affordable rent based on income and safety features. As an added cost savings, some utilities are included. There is also a day-time manager and a live-in caretaker for building emergencies. Tenants are welcome to have one small pet. If additional supports are needed, tenants may utilize a unique benefit through People Inc. Senior Living Service Coordination at no extra charge to assist with various services.
| |
| Now Accepting Volunteers for
Senior Companion Program
The People Inc. Senior Companion Program is looking for volunteers 55 or over, who live in Erie County and meet income guidelines to assist older adults with grocery shopping, light cooking and housekeeping. Additionally, our volunteers have the opportunity to reach out to recipients virtually through our program’s “Phone Connection” initiative. Trained volunteers earn a stipend, mileage and meal reimbursement.
| |
|
| Get Social with Us!
Stay in touch between issues of the People Inc. Care Coordinator Connection for agency news, program updates, fun photos and stories on our social media channels. Here’s where to find us: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
| |
|
|
|
|
