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Bucks County Company is one of
the first in Pa. Warrington Pa. February 3, 2010--Bucks County Special Care, a non-medical home care company located in Warrington, Pa., received its Home Care Registry License from the Department of Health this week, making it one of the first non- medical home care companies in the state of Pennsylvania to be licensed. Pat Lyons, owner of Special Care said, "This is a long time coming and way over due. The consumer has needed and deserved the states protection when it comes to home care. Everyone deserves to have safe, quality care and a place to call if that is not the case." Lyons has been an advocate for licensure of non-medical home care for 14.5 years. She started Bucks County Special Care in 1986. The bill was finally passed in 2006. It has taken 3 years to get the regulations written and to get the various governmental Departments to sign off, but as of 12 /12 /09 its official; all home care companies must be licensed. Lyons can be reached at 215-343-2543. Lyons credits The Pennsylvania Homecare Association, of which she is a member, with being a driving force in getting this legislation through. "They have worked diligently with legislators and the Department of Health for the past 15 years to make sure the consumer was protected and the home care company‘s doing the right thing were recognized for the level of quality care they provide." This new license is the same license that Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Hospices receive under the Health Care Facilities Act. The Department of Health will oversee these companies assuring compliance in the area of hiring, caregiver competency and training, consumer protection, criminal background checks, Health Screening, and abuse reporting to name a few. The consumer will now have a place to go for help when there is a complaint. All non-medical home care companies have 60 days from 12/12/09 to get their applications in to the Department of Health. The Department recently extended this deadline date to March 31 2010. Any company operating before 12/12/09 is allowed to remain in operation providing they get their application in by March 31, 2010. Any non-medical home care company starting up after 12/12/09 may not operate until they obtain the proper licensure. After March 31, 2010 any home care company that was in operation before 12/12/09 that has not yet applied for its license must cease operation until it is licensed. Lyons is asking everyone to please check with the Department of Health before using a home care company to make sure they are licensed and in compliance, and to pass this information along to educate the community. The number to call the Department for Licensure and Compliance is 1-717-783-1379
(Left to right) State Representative Kathy Watson, Pat Lyons (owner Bucks County Special Care In Home Care) State Representative Paul Clymer, Vicki Hoak (PHA Executive Director) Homecare Nurses, Aides, Therapists and Social Workers from 51 Counties Urge Legislators to "Help Pennsylvanians Choose Home" (March 24, 2010) Harrisburg, PA – More than 130 home health care and hospice professionals from 51 counties converged on the State Capitol last week to meet with their state representatives and deliver a unified message – help Pennsylvanians choose home for their long-term care needs. The event was organized by the Pennsylvania Homecare Association (PHA).The homecare professionals included frontline nurses, aides, therapists and social workers who provide one-on-one medical and/or personal care services in people’s homes each day. "They [frontline professionals] aren’t government relations executives or experienced lobbyists, but they are staunch advocates for their patients and clients and they can relay stories about homecare that legislators need to hear," said Vicki Hoak, PHA Executive Director. "They recognize and embrace their new role as advocate so their patients and clients can remain at home and access homecare services." Bucks County Special Care, Non-Medical In home Care owner, Pat Lyons said her group was lobbying State Representatives and the Senator from Bucks County. "We are asking our legislators to support Pennsylvanian’s right to choose home care over nursing home placement," said Lyons. "As a Medicaid recipient, right now nursing home placement is the only option." We also asked our legislators to keep Lottery funds as they were intended for senior services not to be used to fill holes in the State budget and to allow the use of Hospice Care coupled with Waiver in home services to those with a terminal illness. According to Lyons, the eight Bucks County legislators she met with were very interested and supportive of the issues brought before them. "They really care. They took the time out of their amazingly busy schedule and sat down and listened to what we had to say. It was a great day on the Hill," she said. During a rally in the Capitol’s Main Rotunda, Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) discussed her new role as Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee and her legislative priorities. Following Senator Ward, homecare professionals including Marian Hollibaugh, who was recently selected as the 2010 Direct Care Worker of the Year by the Department of Aging, spoke on behalf of their patients and clients. They relayed stories of how homecare services help keep their patients out of the hospital and other institutionalized care facilities; and, how the support of a nurse or aide helps families provide care for their loved ones at home. Also speaking on behalf of the homecare community was Andrea Devoti, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Agencies in West Chester, and president of the PHA Board of Directors. Devoti urged Pennsylvania legislators to support home and community-based services by removing barriers to homecare access such as the 4,000-person waiting list for the OPTIONS program and consistent diverting of state lottery funds away from home and community-based services. "With each vote that is cast for or against home and community-based programs, there are consequences to more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who rely on the services everyone here has devoted their careers to providing so seniors and people with disabilities can remain independent at home," said Devoti. "Institutionalized care is NOT someone’s fate. It’s a choice that fewer people want to make because people want to remain in their own homes." According to PHA, in-home care is proven to be one of the most cost-effective services in the health care continuum; however, Pennsylvania falls far behind most states in terms of the balance of spending on institutionalized care versus home and community-based services for seniors. Just four other states spend less on home and community-based services than Pennsylvania. While the Rendell administration reports progress in allocating additional funds for home and community-based services, data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services shows that the majority of Pennsylvania’s home and community-based spending includes upwards of 30 percent increases in funding for the disability community while funding for home and community-based services for seniors has actually declined. "This generation of older adults is labeled the ‘silent generation,’ but that needs to change," said Hoak. "PHA and the frontline homecare professionals here today are doing their part to make that change. They are showing elected officials the faces of homecare and hospice and are speaking on behalf of their patients so more seniors can choose home for their long-term care needs." Following the rally, PHA honored the homecare professionals at a special luncheon at the Harrisburg Hilton, where Senator Jake Corman (R-Centre) addressed the state budget.
Fredericka Waugh, Alzheimer's association Afri-Outreach coordinator; Doug Chaet, Alzheimer's Association BOD president; Jo Ann Fretz, Bucks County Special Care Caregiver and award recipient; Harriet Hennigan, Alzheimer's Association marketing coordinator; and Pat Lyons, owner of Bucks County Special Care. Bucks' woman honored by Alzheimer's Association on MLK Day By: Intelligencer reporter Hilary Bentman phillyBurbs.com JoAnn Fretz, of Bucks County Special Care, a non-medical in-home care company in Warrington, is being honored today by the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter’s at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recognition Award Ceremony. The celebration recognizes professional caregivers who serve unselfishly to care for people with dementia. This year’s event is being held today at the Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Fretz of Doylestown is among 13 other honorees being recognized. The chapter calls for nominations from each of the 18 counties in its service area, and one special direct care nursing technician is selected from each county. These individuals are certified nursing assistants, nurses’ aids, assistant care nurses, or in-home health workers. Since 1982, Bucks County Special Care has specialized in non-medical home care, supplying nurses’ aides, companions and homemakers to the community. For more information on Bucks County Special Care, call 215-343-2543.
A winning combination By: GEMA MARIA DUARTE Bucks County Courier Times Home-care worker Hnede Kobba has helped Robert Kreiling, 93, from bouts with depression. Their lives' paths couldn't be more different, but laughter and compassion have made them the perfect example of better living. Robert Kreiling, 93, slipped into depression after losing his wife, Elaine, to bone cancer in 2006. At the first anniversary of his wife's death, he got sick and was hospitalized for an ulcer. After recovering and with his depression worsening, Kreiling was released to return to his Morrisville home. This time a godsend came into his life -Hnede Kobba. At 38, Kobba has devoted her life to helping people who can't help themselves. It's a lesson the devout Christian learned years ago from her single mother while living in her native Liberia. "If she wasn't here, I could easily get depressed," Kreiling said last week. "She makes me laugh all the time. We haven't had a good fight, yet. That's because she'd win." The pair's family-like relationship has drawn statewide attention recently after AARP Pennsylvania featured them in online and print publications as a prime example on how changes in the Pennsylvania Healthcare Facilities Act benefit elderly residents. The legislation requires home care agencies to be state licensed and for their workers who provide services in private homes to be properly trained, undergo criminal background checks, and be tested for tuberculosis, said Christine Baksi, spokeswoman for Pennsylvania Homecare Association, which pushed for the amendments along with AARP Pennsylvania. Since the amended law came into effect in December, the association has developed training videos for homecare workers and family caregivers, Baksi said. The AARP feature on Kreiling and Kobba, who works for Special Care of Bucks County in Warrington, caught the attention of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association. The two were featured in videos about the treatment of depression, understanding family dynamics and professionalism posted online by the agency. Last week, the professionalism video won an EMPixx Award bestowed annually by the American Pixel Academy in a variety of categories including best televised, corporate, Internet and independent videos. The twosome, at first glance, seems like an unlikely pairing. Born and raised in Passaic, N.J., Kreiling relocated to Morrisville at age 16 when his father took a job in Bristol Township. After graduation from Morrisville High School in 1935, Kreiling worked 10 years at Kaiser-Fleetwings, an aircraft company in Bristol Township. For the next 36 years, he worked for Princeton University Press as a printer. Although he has no biological children, he, with second wife Elaine, embraced her son and daughter as his own. Kobba was born in Liberia in a Christian upbringing. Her single mother raised her while working as a nurse at an orphanage. With the little money her mother earned, she fed neighbors who had fallen victim to the country's poverty. Kobba came to the U.S. about15 years ago in the hope of finding work in home economics. Instead she got her GED and finished cosmetology school in New York. While working at a salon, she would listen to her customers' sad stories. That inspired her to take her mother's lead and help those who couldn't help themselves. She passed a written test for patient care, followed by two weeks of training. Monday through Friday, Kobba arrives at 9 a.m. and helps Kreiling, who uses a wheelchair, bathe. She makes his bed and cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner before she leaves at 2 p.m. Kreiling is sharp and witty, easily recalling names and dates in his family history. Since the spring, his knees and feet have been troubled with medical issues and he remains primarily at home. "It's frustrating," he said, adding that he's afraid of not being able to make it back up to his small second-floor apartment if he does leave. With Kobba driving, Kreiling would visit the graves of his wife and daughter Bonnie Werline, 57, who lost her battle to Crohn's disease. The pair went grocery shopping, to the bank and the post office. They used to drive to New Jersey to buy collectors coins as part of his hobby. But now, Kobba runs the errands alone. She places flowers at his family's graves on special days. Tuesday and Fridays she shops for food. Wednesday she does the laundry. Kreiling's son William Anderson comes by for visits. The talkative Kreiling used to have a pen pal, but she died of cancer in September. To help keep him busy, Kobba often leaves arts and crafts projects before she leaves for the day. He's decorated folders he uses to store his coin collections - one for presidents and another for states. Last week, Kobba played the award-winning video for Kreiling on his home computer. When she had trouble enlarging the image, Kreiling moved in to help her. "Here, let me do it. You should ...," he paused, as both focused intensely on the computer controls. "Maybe if you go ... You got it." "We help each other out," Kreiling smiled and laughed. The video shows the interaction between the two. "She's my family," Kreiling says at one point in the video. "I see her more than anybody." After watching the video, Kobba said she couldn't ask for a better client. "People have made fun of me because I'm from Africa, because of my accent," she said. "He doesn't. He's respectful. He's nice. I don't know how else to (say) it...Some (homecare aides) complain about the person they are caring for. I don't. Some are in it for something and so they get mad. You don't feel like that when you are in it with your whole heart." To Kreiling, Kobba's accent is endearing. "She has the tendency to mispronounce words," he said laughing. "Sometimes she repeats things three to four times. Some times she has to write it down." He added, "She's very easy going. I have a lot of affection for her." For her, that's the greatest reward. "The important thing for me is to make a difference in somebody's life. I want to teach someone and also learn from others. He's part of this too. He's allowed me into his life." August 30, 2010
(Left to Right) Fredericka Waugh (Alzs
Assoc.Afri Outreach Coordinator) Pat Lyons,
(Owner Bucks County Special Care,) Harriet
Hennigan (Alzs Photo and Media) Joann
Claflin ( Award Recipient & BC Special Care
Caregiver) Jo Ann Fretz (BC Special Care
Office Supervisor)
Warrington, PA… 1/19/11 The Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter honored Joann Claflin, of Bucks County Special Care, Non-Medical In-Home Care Company in Warrington, PA at the Chapter’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recognition Award Ceremony. This is the second year in a row that one of Buck County Special Care’s caregivers has won this very prestigious award. Pat Lyons, owner of Bucks County Special Care said, “Caregivers like Joann are what make Special Care “Special”. Over the 21 years she has been with me, she has proven herself to be invaluable. I am very proud that our caregivers continue to be among the MLK Recognition Award winners.”
The
MLK day celebration is the Chapter’s way of recognizing
extraordinary professional caregivers who serve unselfishly to
care for persons with dementia and live as an example of
service, leadership and compassion while providing the highest
quality care. Nominees are chosen for their commitment to
ensuring that persons with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia are
treated with respect, and dignity, following the legacy of Dr.
King. This year’s event took place on Monday January 17, 2011 at
the Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Claflin, of Hatfield was among 17 other awardees that were recognized at the annual program and luncheon. The Chapter calls for nominations from each of the 18 counties in its service area, and one special direct care nursing technician is selected from each county. These individuals are Certified Nursing Assistants, Nurses Aids, Assistant Care Nurses or in-home health workers. Honorees, who were nominated by their employer, or a family member of someone they care for, receive an award, a catered lunch, and are invited to share special caregiver experiences and feelings. Friends, family members, facility administrators and co-workers were also invited to join in the festivities. The nomination process begins in the fall when applications become available. For information on Delaware Valley Chapter programs and services call 800-272-3900. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Delaware Valley Chapter is the local arm of the National organization.
Home Care Company Ranks 17 out of Top 100 Contributors to the Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s
Mary Ann receives her 25 Year Pin Pa. State Representative Kathy Watson honors Bucks County Special Care at 25th Anniversary Celebration with a Citation issued by the House of Representatives Warrington 1/28/11…On Thursday 1/13/11 Bucks County Special Care, a Non-Medical Home Care Company located in Warrington, celebrated its 25th Anniversary serving the community referring caregivers to the elderly and disabled. Caregivers provide services such as personal care, meal preparation, errands, toileting, exercises and assistance with all activities of daily living. Representative Watson delivered the Citation she sponsored to Pat Lyons, owner of Bucks County Special Care at an Open House celebrating the company’s 25th Anniversary. The Citation Honors Lyons and Bucks County Special Care’s 25 years of service and contribution to the community and to the citizens of the Commonwealth, stating ; “through out its history, Special Care Bucks County, has made inestimable contributions to the welfare of society and has helped to enhance the quality of life for the individuals it serves and their families. A succession of dedicated leaders and staff members have made this possible, keeping ever mindful of the noble maxims of the organization.” Lyons has been a long time aging advocate lobbying for the rights of the elderly and disabled. Some of the issues she advocated are ; state mandate for criminal background checks on all health care workers, state mandate for licensing non-medical home care companies, rescinding of the Consumer Workforce Council Executive Order, lottery funds to be used for seniors as intended, consumer choice for the use of Medicaid funds equally for Home Care or Nursing Home placement., Reduce Hospice funding cuts and change the Family Caregivers Fund to allow payment of care even if the family caregiver does not live with the recipient. Lyons has been a patient advocate for 25 years, educating the patient and family about their rights, giving them tools to resolve issues as they need to and intervening when necessary. When asked, what is the most important thing she can give the consumer? Lyons said, “Knowledge”, Knowledge is power, and with power you can accomplish much. Lyons credits Bucks County’s legislatures for being a huge reason battles fought were won. If it wasn’t for the legislators being opened minded, supportive and very patient as she sat on their doorstep over and over again through the years, we would get no where. She also credits Pa. Homecare Association, an organization she is active with, for all the work they do advocating for the consumer. Lyons said, “If it was not for PHA, the Home Care Licensure still would not be passed”. Special Care’s Anniversary Celebration brought a steady stream of clients, caregivers, collages, friends and family as well as legislators, and other advocates who stopped by through out the day to offer well wishes and congratulations. Caregivers attending the celebration received a pin that says, “I make a difference”. Caregivers who have been with Bucks County Special Care for 25 years also received a 25 year Anniversary pin. Lyons said, “It is the very special caregivers” she has, that make Special Care “Special”. “The caregivers are what today’s celebration is really about.” “I am very fortunate to have such caregiver longevity.” “Ours is more like a family unit. We are very close knit.” For free educational information and resource materials on Consumer Protection, Long Term Care planning, non-fee services available, organizations to assist specific needs or more information on Bucks County Special Care go to www.specialcarephila.com to email your request or call 215-343-2543. Bucks County Special Care Owner Pat Lyons and Representative Kathy Watson
Stacey and Barb receive their "I Make a Difference" Pins
Yvonne Turner receives her "I make a Difference" Pin
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