SWH Blog Important Milestones in Our Effort to Help Seniors Remain at Home

May 1, 2017Important Milestones in Our Effort to Help Seniors Remain at HomeSurveys show that 9 out of 10 seniors want to remain in their own homes, with nearly as many preferring to stay at home even when they begin to require regular health care or day-to-day assistance with routine tasks.The reason is easy to understand: Familiar surroundings help to promote happiness, self-confidence and a sense of well-being.Many older adults are lucky enough to have family or friends nearby who can provide this valuable care, but nearly two in 10 Americans aged 70 and older say they either can't live on their own or cannot accomplish routine daily tasks without assistance.Senior Whole Health (SWH) opened its doors in 2004 to fill this important need.We provide health care and support services to "dual eligible" individuals who quality for both Medicare and Medicaid and want to live independently at home even though they may not have the family or friends available to provide the necessary support.We have the flexibility to provide whatever combination of medical, social and community-based support will enable our members to remain at home. That support can include anything from medical care, to transportation to a doctor's appointment, to help with prescription drugs, to exercise classes and social activities. Each member receives a customized care plan and a nurse care manager who helps the member navigate the system. And it's all done in consultation with the member's family caregivers and with a language and cultural sensitivity to the 60 different ethnicities represented by our membership.Recently, we were delighted by two milestones that provide independent validation of our approach.In February, we enrolled our 20,000th member - a milestone we reached purposefully, carefully and respectfully, winning over one member and one family at a time. For us, there is no more important recognition than this vote of confidence by our members, their families and the elderly community.Last month, we received accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a private, non-profit organization that is considered the gold standard in measuring quality in the health care industry. It is both a tribute to our dedicated staff and, we trust, a comfort to our members and their families who depend on us to provide effective and compassionate care.Most of our members have devoted a lifetime toward creating healthy and happy homes for their families. It's our mission, and privilege, to work with friends, family and others to return the favor by allowing seniors to spend their remaining years in the caring, supportive and familiar setting that they worked so hard to build.Wayne LowellChairman & Chief Executive Officer