Since its inception 10 years ago, Longwood at Home has welcomed over 315 new members to its continuing care retirement community “without walls,” distinguishing it as the largest of its kind in the country. A cost-effective alternative to long-term care insurance, continuing care retirement communities “without walls” provide members with services and programs to enhance their quality of life and quality of care as they age-in-place in the comfort of their own homes.
What began as an innovative concept a decade ago for healthy adults age 60 and above in the Pittsburgh region, Longwood at Home offers a proven track record. “Rather than joining a traditional continuing care retirement community where you have to leave your home, we bring the community to you based on your needs and desires,” said Joan Krueger, Director of Longwood at Home. “Ten is a significant number not only because we are celebrating our 10th anniversary but also because only 10 of our 315 members have had to make a permanent move from their homes to a nursing or personal care community. We are so pleased to be making a positive difference in helping our members stay at home for as long as possible,” added Ms. Krueger.
Another notable statistic according to Ms. Krueger is that only 4% of Longwood at Home members who have had a hospital stay have been re-admitted within 90 days as compared to the national average which is around 34% for Medicare beneficiaries. This success is the result of the personal care coordination and immediate intervention offered to each member based on their needs.
“Overwhelmingly seniors are choosing Longwood at Home because it offers the security and peace-of-mind of knowing that they will be able to pay for and receive the services and care they may need when they need it,” said Ms. Krueger. A good example is consumer advocate, Mary Bach of Murrysville, known for being a savvy shopper, and her husband Len, who did their due diligence and joined as Longwood at Home members a year ago. For the Bachs, slowing down is not an option. Mary currently contributes her time and expertise as chair of the AARP Pennsylvania Consumer Issues Task Force, and Len is an active member of the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
Regarding their decision to join Longwood at Home, Mary commented, “Because we were in good health, which is a requirement of the program, we thought it best to sign up before we found ourselves in trouble. On the chance that we may need help, it’s a big benefit to know that there is help when we need it.” Len Bach added, “Longwood at Home gave us the ability to stay in our home and maintain our current lifestyle.”
Longwood at Home is one of many innovative programs that Presbyterian SeniorCare has developed in order to meet the changing needs and desires of seniors and their families over the course of the past 85 years. Presbyterian SeniorCare President and CEO, Paul Winkler, noted, “We know that this means meeting people where they are, and being innovative and cost-effective so older adults can age in place with compassion, dignity, and the right type of supports for wherever they are in their life’s journey. We are pleased to be able to honor our commitment made over 10 years ago to give older people the opportunity to age in place with the same assurances found in a residential community.”
Presbyterian SeniorCare is an esteemed, not-for-profit network committed to excellence in providing a continuum of living and care options for older adults of all faiths across 56 communities at 44 locations in 10 western Pennsylvania counties.
Longwood at Home is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance and offers a compelling alternative to long-term care insurance for healthy, active older adults who would prefer to receive in-home services as their care needs may increase over time. As Western Pennsylvania’s first and only continuing care at-home membership program, Longwood at Home was developed, and continues to be operated by Presbyterian SeniorCare, which has been dedicated to helping seniors and their families live positively for 85 years.
Receiving the highest level that can be awarded to an eldercare provider, Presbyterian SeniorCare and its affiliates, including Longwood at Home, are accredited as an Aging Services Network by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC).
To learn more, please visit us at www.SrCare.org.
