Tri-State LifeCare AdultDay
“ We found that people needed help finding qualified , affordable and reliable caregivers to assist them to care for their loved ones ,” Hall says . “ We started a caregiving program . We found that people with serious illness were having difficulty getting to their medical appointments , so we opened the home palliative medicine program . We found socialization , medical care and caregiving affordability were all needs in our community , so we most recently opened a medical adult day care .”
As CEO , she strives to provide direction to all internal aspects of the nonprofit while monitoring the health care landscape and Hospice ’ s interactions with its partners in the health care continuum . The role has been a reminder that people with varied talents , personalities and ideas are what make an organization what it is , and leadership involves focused adaptability to help all optimize their assets in ever-changing circumstances .
Hospice of Huntington continuously pursues new ways to help the people of Huntington and its surrounding residents , including West Virginia ’ s first licensed medical adult day care center , Tri-State LifeCare AdultDay . The center provides medical services like speech and physical therapy , dietary counseling and programs for those with dementia , as well as social activities , entertainment and mental stimulation games .
Research and a community needs assessment determined that beyond the need for home-based palliative care , there were needs for socialization , nutrition , personal care , nursing and affordability .
“ A medical adult day care center is different than a social center ,” says Melanie Hall , president and CEO of Hospice of Huntington . “ It provides a higher level of care by always having a nurse on-site while also providing
Hall has found West Virginia to be a fulfilling place to work .
“ We have a unique opportunity in West Virginia to improve and strengthen our health care system from the inside , ourselves ,” she says . “ We are small enough to know each other and work together to make our system meet patient health care needs in an excellent way , each doing our part .”
According to Hall , living in one place your whole life means you ’ ve known the people you see at the store and their families a long time .
“ It changes how you treat them and care for them ,” she says . “ I am well aware of the problems and challenges in our state . We see them daily . As we love our neighbor as ourselves , we are strengthened to come together to find solutions to our problems .” •
socialization , planned activities , meals and snacks and personal care . Ironically , national statistics reveal that this higher level of support and care is the most cost-effective form of care assistance with better health outcomes for participants .”
The center opened in October 2023 through collaboration with West Virginia Senator Robert Plymale , the West Virginia Bureau of Medical Services and the Hospice Board of Trustees , with Medicaid providing the opportunity for reimbursement through the Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver .
Hall would like to see more medical adult day care services in West Virginia .
“ We have been gratified to see and hear how this service has helped our participants and their families in their care , in even just a short time ,” she says . “ We look forward to helping expand this service throughout West Virginia .”
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