By David Karas | Correspondent

For more than five years, St. Francis Medical Center’s LIFE (Living Independently for Elders) program, Trenton, has been providing a comprehensive, all-inclusive care program for the elderly while fostering their independence.

The program, a community-based, long-term care initiative for seniors, was launched in 2009 with the hope of helping to provide seniors with necessary health services while allowing them to remain in their homes.

“The program is a comprehensive and coordinated approach to keeping seniors living safely and independently in their own homes for as long as possible,” said Christine Fares Walley, director of marketing and business development for the medical center. “The healthcare of our participants is coordinated by an inter-disciplinary team – this team approach puts all disciplines at the table managing all aspects of a participants care needs.”

The program has roughly 300 participants, and has served close to 500 Mercer and Burlington County seniors to date.

Each enrollee receives customized care delivered by a team of health professionals, typically including home care visits as well as regular visits to the LIFE Center facilitated by transportation provided by the program.

In order to participate in LIFE, enrollees must be at least 55 or older; certified by the state to need nursing home care; able to live safely in the community at the time of enrollment; and live in Mercer County or in Bordentown, Roebling or Florence in Burlington County.

The LIFE team includes doctors, nurses, social workers, home health aides, therapists, pastoral care counselors and other professionals. Services encompass a wide range of needs that might be experienced by patients, including: dental care, vision care, podiatry, hearing care, drug coverage (including over-the-counter medications), medical equipment, assistance with meals and equipment, physical therapy, mental health services and support for family caregivers.

The program also features end-of-life care options, as well as 24-hour access to the team for enrollees.

 Another facet of the LIFE Center is the range of offerings provided in the program’s hub, including meals, exercise programs and a variety of fun, social activities.

If a senior is on or eligible for medical assistance and living in the community, there is no fee for the LIFE St. Francis program. If the senior is a Medicare recipient, there will be a monthly premium.

Walley said that most enrollees are recipients of both Medicare and Medicaid.

“Our care is far more comprehensive and coordinated: every discipline is communicating with [one another], which does not happen in the community – where your cardiologist generally does not speak to your gastroenterologist for example,” she explained.

She said that the program provides for its patients a level and standard of care that is difficult to match.

“They do not have the ability to receive coordinated care managed by an interdisciplinary team in any other healthcare model,” she said.

LIFE St. Francis is located at 1435 Liberty Street, Hamilton. For more information, call 609-599-5433 or email [email protected].