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La Red gala celebrates 25 years of care and a vital role at Milford Wellness Village
Community health center is a key partner in the Village’s effort to give Milford-area families coordinated access to medical, behavioral and dental services By George D. Rotsch, Editor, Milford LIVE MILFORD, Del. — La Red Health Center will celebrate 25 years of expanding health care in Southern Delaware during an anniversary gala Sept. 24, while highlighting a mission that has become an important part of the Milford Wellness Village. The 25th Anniversary and Community Awards Celebration will run from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hyatt Place Dewey Beach. The event will recognize the community partners, business leaders and supporters who helped La Red grow from a bilingual telephone referral line into a comprehensive health center serving more than 15,000 patients annually. “This event is very special for La Red, we aren’t only celebrating the milestone of turning 25,” said Rachel Hersh, La Red’s President and CEO, “we are honoring our founders’ vision and the commitment of everyone involved that has led to La Red become a flourishing healthcare center that 15,000 people rely upon every day for their healthcare needs. It really is a testament to what communities can do when they work together.” For residents of Milford and northern Sussex County, La Red’s work is visible at 21 W. Clarke Ave., where the organization operates as a key service partner within the Milford Wellness Village. The Village brings more than 30 health, education and community-service organizations together on the former Milford Memorial Hospital campus. Its goal is to make care more accessible and coordinated by allowing residents to find multiple services in one location. La Red plays a vital role in that model by providing a direct entry point into primary and preventive health care for children, adults, seniors and families — including people who may have difficulty obtaining care because of cost, insurance status, language or transportation. A health care anchor within the Village La Red moved its Milford Family Practice into the Milford Wellness Village as the former hospital campus was being redeveloped into a collaborative health and wellness center. The move gave La Red room to expand pediatric and adolescent care, adult and senior services, women’s health, behavioral health and oral health services in northern Sussex County. That combination makes La Red more than another tenant at the Village. It is one of the organizations helping the campus fulfill its central purpose: connecting residents with care in a convenient setting where medical providers, rehabilitation programs, laboratories, child care organizations and social-service agencies can work near one another. “La Red was the first tenant to join the Milford Wellness Village and significantly enhanced its facility when it moved here, including the addition of a brand-new, six-chair dental center,” said Meir Gelley, founder and owner of Milford Wellness Village. “As a medical home serving uninsured and underinsured residents, La Red is a key component of primary care at the Village and plays a vital role in making quality health care accessible to the Milford community.” The Village’s model is intended to reduce the stress of traveling to separate locations for medical appointments, testing, rehabilitation and support services. For patients with multiple health needs — particularly older adults, families with children and people managing chronic conditions — having services concentrated on one campus can make it easier to remain engaged in care. La Red contributes broad family health services to that network. Its Milford center provides adult and senior care, pediatric and adolescent care, women’s health and prenatal services, health screenings, treatment for acute illness and chronic disease management. Services also include behavioral health care, dental care, substance-use disorder treatment, laboratory services, cancer screening referrals, HIV screening, diabetic retinopathy screenings and help obtaining affordable medications. La Red’s presence ensures that the Milford Wellness Village includes a community health provider whose mission is specifically focused on reaching people who might otherwise fall through gaps in the traditional health system. From hotline to health network La Red’s story began before its formal incorporation in 2001, when it operated as a 24-hour telephone hotline. The service helped people with limited English proficiency connect with bilingual physicians who offered discounted medical care. In 2001, a group of Sussex County physicians joined with a hospital, community center, faith-based organization and local government to establish La Red Health Center. “La Red” means “the network” in Spanish, a name that reflects both its origins and its continuing reliance on partnerships. The organization became an independent ambulatory care center in 2003 and later received full status as a Federally Qualified Health Center. That federal designation helps nonprofit, community-based providers deliver care in areas where residents may face financial barriers or shortages of medical services. Today, La Red operates health centers in Georgetown, Seaford, Milford and a mobile health unit. It welcomes patients regardless of insurance status, income, language or background. Care beyond an appointment La Red’s role extends beyond examinations and treatment. Bilingual community health workers, known as promotoras, help patients understand medical information and navigate the health system. Transportation assistance helps residents reach appointments, while the organization’s mobile health unit carries primary care, vaccinations and pharmacy assistance into Sussex County communities. La Red also helps patients enroll in insurance programs, obtain medications and coordinate care among providers. Its outreach includes support for people experiencing homelessness, individuals returning to the community after incarceration and businesses seeking employee wellness programs. The Produce RX program works with local farms to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to patients in need. On-site services through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC, offer nutrition education and assistance to families at La Red’s Georgetown location. Those programs support the same principle behind the Milford Wellness Village: Health is affected not only by what happens during a medical appointment, but also by whether a patient has food, transportation, information and access to continuing support. Partnerships drive the mission La Red works with hospitals, schools, nonprofits, businesses and government agencies across Sussex County. Its regional partners […]
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PACE Your LIFE plans lively Sept. 30 happy hour in Milford
Music, food, drinks, raffles and tours will introduce the community to a program helping older adults live safely at home MILFORD — PACE Your LIFE is turning its Sept. 30 open house into a community celebration, inviting seniors, caregivers, health care professionals and local leaders to enjoy an evening of live music, food, drinks and conversation at the Milford Wellness Village. The free Happy Hour and Open House will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at the PACE Your LIFE Day Health Center, 21 W. Clarke Ave., Suite 1010. Rather than offering a traditional presentation about senior services, PACE Your LIFE is creating a relaxed party atmosphere where guests can mingle, listen to live music by Smooth Sounds with Suzette and enjoy appetizers, beer and wine. Giveaways and raffles will add to the festivities, while PACE Your LIFE team members will be available throughout the evening to answer questions and lead tours of the center. No reservation is required, allowing visitors to stop in at any time during the two-hour celebration. The event is designed to be both informative and fun. Seniors can experience the center’s welcoming environment, caregivers can speak directly with members of the care team, and community leaders can see how the program supports older residents across southern Delaware. A chance to experience the center The open house allows prospective participants and their families to see the center while it is filled with music, activity and conversation. Guests can explore the areas used for meals, recreation, social activities, rehabilitation and medical care. They also can meet the people who work directly with participants and learn what a typical day at PACE Your LIFE can include. For an older adult who may be reluctant to consider a senior program, the happy-hour format offers a low-pressure introduction. Visitors do not have to schedule a formal appointment or begin an application. They can enjoy the party, tour the center and ask questions at their own pace. The evening also offers caregivers a chance to meet other families and professionals who understand the challenges of helping an older person remain independent. More than a daytime program PACE Your LIFE is the local Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, commonly known as PACE. The program serves eligible adults 55 and older who meet the state’s criteria for nursing home-level care but can continue living safely in their homes with additional support. Although its Day Health Center provides meals, recreation, activities, and social interaction, PACE Your LIFE is more comprehensive than a traditional senior day program. Each participant receives an individualized care plan coordinated by a team of health professionals. Services can include primary and specialty medical care, nursing, prescription management, physical and occupational therapy, nutritional counseling, personal care, social work and assistance in the home. Transportation to the center and medical appointments also may be included, along with caregiver respite, medical equipment, home-delivered meals and other services based on the participant’s needs. The goal is to bring the different pieces of senior care together so older adults can remain in familiar surroundings and families do not have to coordinate multiple providers on their own. A night for caregivers and community partners The Sept. 30 celebration is not limited to seniors who are ready to enroll in PACE Your LIFE. Adult children caring for aging parents, spouses managing a loved one’s health needs and other family caregivers are encouraged to attend. The evening can help families better understand what support is available before they face a crisis or must make an urgent care decision. Hospital discharge planners, social workers, home care professionals, senior-living representatives and other service providers also can learn when PACE Your LIFE may be an appropriate referral for an older adult. Community leaders, elected officials, nonprofit representatives and local businesspeople are invited to attend and become more familiar with an important part of Milford’s expanding health care network. PACE Your LIFE operates within Milford Wellness Village, where a range of medical, rehabilitation, behavioral health, senior and family services are located on one campus. Celebrating National PACE Month The happy hour is being held as part of National PACE Month, which draws attention to programs that help older adults receive coordinated care while continuing to live in their communities. The event is sponsored by IntusCare and ChorusRX. For PACE Your LIFE, the Sept. 30 gathering is both an open house and an invitation to celebrate the seniors, caregivers, health professionals and community partners who make aging at home possible. Visitors can come for the music and refreshments, try their luck in the raffles, meet the PACE Your LIFE team and leave with a better understanding of a senior-care option available in the Milford area. To Go Box What: PACE Your LIFE Happy Hour and Open House When: Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. Where: PACE Your LIFE Day Health Center, Milford Wellness Village, 21 W. Clarke Ave., Suite 1010, Milford The party: Live music by Smooth Sounds with Suzette, appetizers, beer and wine, giveaways, raffles, center tours and opportunities to meet the PACE Your LIFE team Seniors, family caregivers, health care and social-service professionals, community leaders, elected officials and anyone interested in learning about local senior-care resources Admission: Free; no reservation required Parking: Use the Polk Avenue or King Street entrance Event information: Call 302-430-3870 Learn more: Visit paceyourlifemwv.com or call 302-865-3565
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Medical journal points to Milford Wellness Village as model for rural health care
Peer-reviewed article says the Milford campus is improving access, supporting seniors and demonstrating the potential to reduce health care costs By George D. Rotsch, Editor of Milford LIVE MILFORD — A new article in the peer-reviewed Delaware Journal of Public Health identifies Milford Wellness Village as a promising model for delivering coordinated health care and social services in rural communities. The article concludes that the Milford campus is helping older adults manage chronic illnesses, remain independent and gain access to services that are often difficult to find in Kent and Sussex counties. Published by the Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health, the journal describes Milford Wellness Village as an integrated campus that brings together more than 30 health care and social-service providers at the former Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital property. The journal uses a formal peer-review process in which qualified experts evaluate submissions for scientific, policy and analytical value, including the strength of their conclusions and interpretation of evidence. That review gives the article greater credibility than a traditional promotional report, although its conclusions remain those of the authors. The article, “Milford Wellness Village — Foundation of Value-Based Care in Rural Delaware,” was written by health policy consultants Jeanne De Sa and Andrew Spicer. It argues that the village’s combination of medical care, senior services, rehabilitation, care coordination and social support could provide a blueprint for other rural communities. “By transforming this space into a co-located, multi-organizational ecosystem,” the authors wrote, Milford Wellness Village provides a broad continuum of care in one location. The 22-acre campus includes a 256,000-square-foot former hospital building that has been redeveloped rather than demolished or converted to an unrelated commercial use. The journal said the approach preserved a familiar, centrally located health care facility while avoiding some of the time and expense associated with building a new campus. Addressing rural health care gaps The article says older residents in southern Delaware face a series of interconnected challenges, including provider shortages, transportation difficulties, social isolation and fragmented medical care. Those barriers can contribute to unnecessary emergency-room visits, interrupted treatment and the premature placement of seniors in nursing facilities, according to the authors. Milford Wellness Village was designed to address those problems by placing providers and support organizations near one another and creating systems through which they can coordinate care. Services on the campus range from primary and preventive care to physical therapy, behavioral health, chronic-disease management, senior care and skilled nursing. Providers and programs identified by the journal include Village Primary Care, La Red Health Center, Aquacare Physical Therapy, Easterseals Delaware, PACE Your LIFE and Polaris Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center. PACE Your LIFE provides coordinated medical, nutritional, rehabilitative and social services for older adults who need a nursing-home level of care but prefer to continue living in the community. Polaris operates a 100-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility designed in part to help patients recover after hospitalization and return safely to independent living. Evidence of improved outcomes The journal points to the WeCare program as one of the strongest examples of the village’s potential impact. Administered by Education Health and Research International, WeCare uses nurses and care coordinators to assist at-risk seniors across southern Delaware. Its services include chronic-disease education, diabetes management, fall prevention and medication support. According to the article, a three-year independent evaluation by the University of Delaware found that WeCare participants reported improvements in quality of life and maintained or improved their ability to perform activities associated with daily living. A related analysis conducted with the Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance and the Delaware Health Information Network found measurable savings in health care use among participants when compared with a similar group of older adults who were not enrolled, the journal reported. The authors said those findings suggest coordinated community care can reduce the risk of expensive hospitalization or institutional care while allowing more older adults to remain at home. Moving toward value-based care The article describes Milford Wellness Village as an example of “value-based care,” a system in which providers are rewarded for improved health outcomes and efficient care rather than simply for performing a larger number of services. Under that approach, services such as patient navigation, disease management, nutrition assistance and transportation support can be treated as part of health care because they may prevent more costly medical problems later. The journal argues that the village’s structure is particularly well suited to that model because providers can coordinate treatment, monitor outcomes and address both medical conditions and the social circumstances that affect a patient’s health. The article says the campus could help reduce spending by Medicare and Medicaid if coordinated care results in fewer hospital admissions, emergency visits and unnecessary nursing-home placements. Training the rural workforce The journal also highlights Milford Wellness Village’s role in addressing southern Delaware’s health care workforce shortage. Milford Wellness Village and Education Health and Research International are working with Delaware State University on training and clinical programs focused on the needs of older adults. The article says the federal Health Resources and Services Administration awarded a $5 million grant to Delaware State University and its lead partner, EHRI, to expand evidence-based chronic-disease programs for older adults with complex medical needs. The authors conclude that the village offers “a highly reproducible blueprint” for geriatric and rural health care by combining clinical treatment, social services, workforce training and the reuse of an existing community asset. TO-GO BOX Milford Wellness Village What it is: A 22-acre health care and social-services campus developed at the former Bayhealth Milford Memorial Hospital property. What the journal says: A peer-reviewed article in the Delaware Journal of Public Health identifies the village as a promising model for coordinated rural health care, particularly for older adults and people managing chronic illnesses. Services available: Primary care, rehabilitation, behavioral health, chronic-disease management, senior services, skilled nursing, care coordination and social support. Key finding: The article cites research indicating that participants in the WeCare program experienced improved quality of life and maintained or […]
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