Ecumenical effort targets seniors

Health professionals and volunteer caregivers in the West Hill section of Albany have united in an ecumenical effort to serve senior citizens who otherwise might "fall between the cracks" when it comes to healthcare and social services.

The Neighborhood Health Advocate Program kicked off in September under the guidance of the Koinonia Health Care Center and the Faith Based Initiative.

Our Lady of Angels, St. Patrick's and St. Casimir's -- the Center City Catholic Community Cluster -- are members of the initiative along with Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Grace and Holy Innocents Church, Star of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, and St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Affiliate organizations include the Elder Network of the Capital Region, the University at Albany, Sage Graduate School and the New York State Office for the Aging.

Serving seniors

Jean Marks, a member of Our Lady of Angels, volunteered for the program to make sure that the seniors in her neighborhood receive proper, ongoing healthcare services.

"We have a lot of seniors in this area," Mrs. Marks said. "My hope is for them to remain as healthy and active in our parish and community life as they are able. I saw this as a way to accomplish that.

"All that is required is having a sincere dedication to helping others," she explained. "I have known many of these people all of my life; they are my neighbors."

How it works

The program staff consists of several registered nurses, a social worker and a physician.

"Before a lay advocate visits any client, that person will have already been seen by a healthcare professional and his or her medical condition determined," Mrs. Marks said. "He or she has also had a medical assessment for the care that is needed."

She sees her job "as primarily being a listener and a helper. So many of our neighbors live alone and have no one they can talk to, especially if they are house-bound."

For training, volunteers "meet with the staff for a couple of hours each week," Mrs. Marks said. "Healthcare professionals from the community have been presenting talks and workshops on adult daycare, healthcare, and financial concerns like dealing with increased heating bills during the winter months. We had a presentation on how to help seniors complete Medicaid applications. These are very helpful."

Getting word out

Getting the word out about the program to members of the various churches in the neighborhood has been a vital first step.

"We're hoping that word of mouth will be enough," Mrs. Marks noted. "We want to keep the program within the borders of West Hill because that is our neighborhood and it is the residents of this area that we are concerned with. If the program needs to expand, I'm sure we will need more volunteer lay advocates. I have a good feeling about it. It is a much needed program."

(For information about volunteering, call Tanya Zelman, 465-2703.)

(12/4/03) [[In-content Ad]]