New LIFE St. Francis facility allows for more outreach, services for seniors
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
What has been affectionately referred to as a “one-stop shop” that provides medical care for senior citizens has broadened its horizons in scope of its services and facility.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
LIFE St. Francis, the first-of-its kind program in New Jersey that offers senior citizens living in Mercer County and several towns in Burlington County a safe alternative to nursing home placement, celebrated the relocation from its single-story facility on Liberty Street in Hamilton to a new 30,000 square-foot, two-story facility in Bordentown. On hand for the Sept. 9 ceremony was Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who blessed the facility, staff and officials from St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, state officials, legislative representatives, board members and leaders, along with some 150 guests including clients, families and friends.
LIFE, which stands for Living Independently for Elders, opened April 1, 2009, as an initiative sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton. It is the first Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in the state. PACE is a nationwide program that focuses on safe-guarding seniors’ independence by coordinating all medical care for elders living at home while meeting their physical, emotional and social needs – all in one place.
While LIFE St. Francis will continue to offer the “highest level of quality care for our patients,” the new, state-of-the-art facility allows for the expansion of enrollment and care for more seniors “who need this most valuable service,” said LIFE St. Francis executive director Jill Viggiano. She noted that the move to Bordentown enables LIFE to accommodate more seniors from Burlington County in addition to those from Mercer County. In total, she said, LIFE St. Francis currently cares for 322 participants and serves every zip code in Mercer County and eight zip codes in Burlington County (08505, 08518, 08554, 08015, 08016, 08022, 08060, 08068).
Viggiano said the additional space permits staff to add more programs to recreational therapy activities, and to provide home-cooked meals in the new modern, fully equipped kitchen.
At present, LIFE staff is composed of 210 employee colleagues who provide services including medical (primary care and specialty care such as vision, dental, podiatry and hearing services); nursing (at-home and in-center including end-of-life care); social services; rehabilitation (physical therapy and occupational therapy); clinical nutrition facilitated by a registered dietician; day center visits and recreation therapy; personal care and support services (at-home and in-center) by certified home health aides; transportation; medications and durable medical equipment and supplies.
To qualify for PACE, a person must be 55 or older, certified by the state to need nursing home-level care and be able to live safely in the community. Funding for PACE is provided by Medicare, Medicaid or private payments.
Reflecting on the Sept. 9 ceremony, Viggiano smiled when she said how “we never imagined outgrowing our building,” a former CVS Pharmacy on Liberty Street. In addition to Bishop O’Connell, she acknowledged the presence of Vince Costantino, chief administrative officer of St. Francis Medical Center; Alex Hatala, president and CEO of Trinity NJ; Dr. Joseph Youngblood II, chair of St. Francis’ board of trustees, and Chaplain Terry Anderson, who led a ritual butterfly release signifying the “Celebration of Hope, Blessing and Release.”
In recognition of the occasion, state Sen. Diane Allen sponsored a senate proclamation recognizing the work and contribution of LIFE St. Francis. Closing comments were given by Carl Cangelosi, chair of the LIFE St. Francis board of trustees.
“LIFE St. Francis is committed to being a transforming, healing presence for the elders in our community and enhancing their autonomy and quality of life,” said Viggiano.
“LIFE St. Francis seeks to foster a safe environment where the values of community, justice, stewardship, integrity, courage, reverence for each person and commitment to those who are poor are lived out each day,” she said.
For more information on LIFE St. Francis, call 609-599-LIFE (5433).
[[In-content Ad]]
Related Stories
Friday, November 01, 2024
E-Editions
Events
By Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor
What has been affectionately referred to as a “one-stop shop” that provides medical care for senior citizens has broadened its horizons in scope of its services and facility.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
LIFE St. Francis, the first-of-its kind program in New Jersey that offers senior citizens living in Mercer County and several towns in Burlington County a safe alternative to nursing home placement, celebrated the relocation from its single-story facility on Liberty Street in Hamilton to a new 30,000 square-foot, two-story facility in Bordentown. On hand for the Sept. 9 ceremony was Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who blessed the facility, staff and officials from St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, state officials, legislative representatives, board members and leaders, along with some 150 guests including clients, families and friends.
LIFE, which stands for Living Independently for Elders, opened April 1, 2009, as an initiative sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton. It is the first Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in the state. PACE is a nationwide program that focuses on safe-guarding seniors’ independence by coordinating all medical care for elders living at home while meeting their physical, emotional and social needs – all in one place.
While LIFE St. Francis will continue to offer the “highest level of quality care for our patients,” the new, state-of-the-art facility allows for the expansion of enrollment and care for more seniors “who need this most valuable service,” said LIFE St. Francis executive director Jill Viggiano. She noted that the move to Bordentown enables LIFE to accommodate more seniors from Burlington County in addition to those from Mercer County. In total, she said, LIFE St. Francis currently cares for 322 participants and serves every zip code in Mercer County and eight zip codes in Burlington County (08505, 08518, 08554, 08015, 08016, 08022, 08060, 08068).
Viggiano said the additional space permits staff to add more programs to recreational therapy activities, and to provide home-cooked meals in the new modern, fully equipped kitchen.
At present, LIFE staff is composed of 210 employee colleagues who provide services including medical (primary care and specialty care such as vision, dental, podiatry and hearing services); nursing (at-home and in-center including end-of-life care); social services; rehabilitation (physical therapy and occupational therapy); clinical nutrition facilitated by a registered dietician; day center visits and recreation therapy; personal care and support services (at-home and in-center) by certified home health aides; transportation; medications and durable medical equipment and supplies.
To qualify for PACE, a person must be 55 or older, certified by the state to need nursing home-level care and be able to live safely in the community. Funding for PACE is provided by Medicare, Medicaid or private payments.
Reflecting on the Sept. 9 ceremony, Viggiano smiled when she said how “we never imagined outgrowing our building,” a former CVS Pharmacy on Liberty Street. In addition to Bishop O’Connell, she acknowledged the presence of Vince Costantino, chief administrative officer of St. Francis Medical Center; Alex Hatala, president and CEO of Trinity NJ; Dr. Joseph Youngblood II, chair of St. Francis’ board of trustees, and Chaplain Terry Anderson, who led a ritual butterfly release signifying the “Celebration of Hope, Blessing and Release.”
In recognition of the occasion, state Sen. Diane Allen sponsored a senate proclamation recognizing the work and contribution of LIFE St. Francis. Closing comments were given by Carl Cangelosi, chair of the LIFE St. Francis board of trustees.
“LIFE St. Francis is committed to being a transforming, healing presence for the elders in our community and enhancing their autonomy and quality of life,” said Viggiano.
“LIFE St. Francis seeks to foster a safe environment where the values of community, justice, stewardship, integrity, courage, reverence for each person and commitment to those who are poor are lived out each day,” she said.
For more information on LIFE St. Francis, call 609-599-LIFE (5433).
[[In-content Ad]]