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Dec 23
Love0

Rapid PCR Test Helping Families Stay Safer Over Holidays

By Wellness

Whether traveling internationally, or simply going to Grandma’s house, the rapid PCR testing that LifeCare Alliance’s Wellness Services now offers is helping families stay safer from COVID this holiday season.

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction, and with accuracy that approaches 100 percent, it is considered the gold standard of COVID testing. In fact, it is required for travelers headed to several international destinations – including Canada.

According to Melinda Rowe, Director of Wellness Services for LifeCare Alliance, there is a lot of confusion around the various COVID tests and their best uses.

“There are rapid antigen tests, which are the ones most frequently conducted in-home,” says Rowe.

“These are the ones that you get for low-cost at the drugstore, or which are sometimes given out free by the health department.”

Antigen tests can be less accurate than PCR tests as they rely on the level of antigens in a person’s body who has been exposed to the COVID virus. It is widely thought that a person can carry and spread the disease 3-5 days before exhibiting symptoms or producing enough antigens to register on a rapid antigen test.

The PCR test can successfully detect even the smallest amount of coronavirus genetic material in a sample, making it a highly sensitive and accurate test.

Many international destinations are requiring proof of a negative PCR test anywhere from 24-72 hours before arrival of flights into their country. This requires a rapid PCR test as opposed to a traditional PCR test that can take several days to return results.

A few of the nations requiring PCR testing include England, France, Germany, Italy, Dominican Republic, and even Canada. These requirements are changing rapidly and travelers should continually monitor any conditions to entry into a country because of COVID.

But international travel isn’t the only reason people are choosing to get a rapid PCR test.

Wallis Harsch, a retiree from The Ohio State University, came to LifeCare Alliance to get a rapid PCR test before visiting her son and his family on the East Coast. She wanted to make sure her grandson would be safer from COVID exposure if she and her husband went to visit him for the holiday.

“Many people with family members who are elderly, extremely young, or have pre-existing conditions, are opting to get the rapid PCR test before visiting in order to protect those most vulnerable,” says Rowe.

LifeCare Alliance Wellness Services offers rapid PCR testing at our headquarters at 1699 W. Mound Street. The test costs $200 and is not covered by insurance. Sixty percent of the fee goes to cover the costs of special equipment, supplies and the trained technicians required for the test. The rest of the fee is dedicated to LifeCare Alliance’s social enterprise and goes to support the nurses we have out in the community that provide free health screenings, free foot care, free diabetes education, and counseling and other services.

LifeCare Alliance offers rapid PCR testing at our headquarters at 1699 W. Mound Street in Columbus, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. You must call for an appointment at 614-437-2878.

Mar 08
Love0
Bananas on display at a supermarket

10 Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

By Wellness

Even when you know what healthy foods to choose, being able to pay for them can be hard, especially if you are on a fixed income. Start by deciding how much you can afford to spend on food.

There are websites that can help you plan a food budget. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture supports Iowa State University’s Spend Smart-Eat Smart. This website also has inexpensive recipes based on the Dietary Guidelines.

Once you have a budget, find store ads in the newspaper or grocery store websites to see what is on sale. Try to plan some meals around featured items and pick up some extra canned goods or staples that are on sale. And check the expiration or use-by date. A product might be on sale because it is almost out of date. Choose items with dates farthest in the future.

While shopping, make use of these budget-wise 10 tips.

  1. Ask about discounts. Ask your local grocery stores if they have a senior discount or a loyalty or discount card. Besides getting items at a lower price, you may also get store coupons.
  2. Use coupons when you can. Remember, coupons only help if they are for things you would buy anyway. Sometimes, another brand costs less even after you use the coupon.
  3. Consider store brands—they usually cost less. These products are made under a special label, sometimes with the store name. You might have to look on shelves that are higher or lower than eye level to find them.
  4. Be aware that convenience costs more. You can often save money if you are willing to do a little work. For example, buy whole chickens and cut them into parts, shred or grate your own cheese, and avoid instant rice or instant oatmeal. Bagged salad mixes cost more and might not stay fresh as long as a head of lettuce.
  5. Look at unit prices. Those small stickers on the shelves tell you the price but also the unit price—how much the item costs per ounce or per pound. Compare unit prices to see which brand is the best value.
  6. Try to buy in bulk, but only buy a size you can use before it goes bad. If you buy meat in bulk, decide what you need to use that day and freeze the rest in portion-sized packages right away.
  7. Focus on economical fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, oranges, cabbage, sweet potatoes, dark-green leafy vegetables, green peppers, and regular carrots.
  8. Think about the foods you throw away. For less waste, buy or cook only what you need.
  9. Resist temptations at the check-out. Those snack foods and candy are put there for impulse buying. Save money and avoid empty calories!
  10. Sign up for meal delivery. While some older people have trouble finding enough money to buy food, others need help preparing meals. There are a variety of groups around the country that deliver meals to people who have trouble getting out of their homes. These groups usually offer one hot meal a day. One of the largest is Meals-on-Wheels.

-Information from the National Institute on Aging

Mar 08
Love1

Make Smart Food Choices for Healthy Aging

By Wellness

Choosing healthy foods has health benefits for everyone. As you age, food provides the nutrients you need.

This infographic from the National Institute on Aging offers tips on how to help you maintain a healthy weight, get the nutrients you need, and lower your risk of chronic disease.

Healthy Eating Tips Infographic by National Institute on Aging

Transcription

Make Smart Food Choices for Healthy Aging

It’s never too late to make smarter food choices. Healthy eating is an important part of staying healthy as you age.

Following these tips can help you maintain a healthy weight, get the nutrients you need, and lower your risk of chronic disease.

  • Try to eat and drink from these food groups each day: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. Variety is an important part of eating healthfully!
  • Cut back on foods and beverages that are high in calories and added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats. Shift to healthier options like fresh fruits and vegetables instead.
  • Instead of high-calorie snacks, such as potato chips, try nutrient-dense snacks, such as carrots.
  • Instead of fruit products with added sugars, such as fig cookies, try fresh fruit, such as a peach.
  • Instead of regular cola, try water flavored with fruits or vegetables.
  • Use a food diary to help you keep track of your total daily calories, carbs, protein, etc., and see if you are making healthy choices. Understand how many calories you need based on your level of daily activity.
  • Choose a variety of foods that are packed with nutrients and low in calories.
  • Check the food labels to understand what foods will meet your nutritional needs each day.

How Many Calories Do You Need Each Day?

Women:

  • Not physically active — 1,600 cal.
  • Moderately active — 1,800 cal.
  • Active lifestyle — 2,000-2,200 cal.

Men:

  • Not physically active — 2,000-2,200 cal.
  • Moderately active — 2,200-2,400 cal.
  • Active lifestyle — 2,400-2,800 cal.
Mar 08
Love0
Vegetables on display at a market

Fresh, Canned, or Frozen: Singing the Praises of Produce

By Wellness

Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals that are good for your health. Whether fresh, canned, or frozen, produce has many benefits.

Fresh produce

Fresh produce is rich in flavor and nutrients. Generally, the fresher the produce, the better in terms of nutrition. You may opt to purchase in-season produce at the local grocery store, or even grow your own!

Tip: To avoid fresh produce from going bad, freeze it for another time.

Canned produce

Buying canned produce is cost effective and long lasting, but often times, it is higher in sodium and slighter lower in nutritional value.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, canned foods can be just as nutritious as fresh and frozen foods because canning preserves many nutrients. The amount of minerals, fat-soluble vitamins, protein, fat and carbohydrate remain relatively unchanged by the process of canning. Interestingly, though, the heating process that may harm some vitamins can actually increase the antioxidant content in canned foods.

Frozen produce

Like canned foods, frozen produce is often packaged at the peak of freshness has high nutritonal content and flavor. It also has a long shelf life. In addition to a time-saving convenience, frozen foods can be a benefit for individuals with limited kitchen space or utensils. Not only can frozen foods be more affordable in price, but they also can aid in reducing food waste.

To get more nutritional tips like this, contact one of LifeCare Alliance’s registered dietitians! Schedule a one-on-one session to learn important diabetes management/nutritional therapy. Contact Elana Burak at 614-437-2912 or by email at eburak@lifecarealliance.org.

Getting Started

Planting your own fruits and vegetables can be a fun hobby that leads to real flavor and nutrition! Here’s how to get started:

  1. Find a space where you want to plant your veggies (remember: it needs to have at least 6 hours of sun exposure).
  2. Grab some potting mix and dirt.
  3. Pick your favorite vegetables and herbs and get to planting!

Here are some easy-to-grow favorites: Radishes (grown from seeds), leaf lettuce (grown from seeds), cherry tomatoes (grown from a plant), bush beans (grown from seeds), and many more!

To grow your own herbs, grab a pot, some potting mix, grab rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, chives or whatever your favorite herbs might be and place it in the pot. Get ready to add some nutrition and flavor to your diet!

Feb 26
Love5

Nominate a Volunteer for the LifeCare Alliance Spirit Awards!

By Carrie's Cafe, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Cancer Clinic, Events, Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, POHC, Volunteers, Wellness
Thank you for nominating an outstanding volunteer for the Spirit Awards! Volunteers are essential to the success of LifeCare Alliance in our community, so it is important to recognize the wonderful work they do.
Please use the form below to submit your nomination. We want to know the LifeCare Alliance program that benefits from your nominee’s work, as well as the reasons your nominee stands out from all the rest.
Please visit LifeCare Alliance’s website and social media for information about this year’s Spirit Awards as details are finalized.
Dec 01
Love0

Frequent Handwashing Helps Prevent Spread of Germs in Kitchen

By Wellness

Handwashing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent food poisoning when you are preparing food for yourself or loved ones. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is an easy way to prevent germs from spreading around your kitchen and to other foods.

Follow these handwashing tips to make sure you have clean hands when preparing food:

Wash your hands often when you cook to prevent the spread of germs. Your hands can spread germs in the kitchen, so wash your hands often to prevent cross-contamination. Handwashing is especially important during key times when germs can spread. Here are some key times to wash in the kitchen:

  • Before, during, and after preparing any food.
  • After handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
  • Before eating.
  • After touching garbage.
  • After wiping counters or cleaning other surfaces with chemicals.
  • After touching pets, pet food, or pet treats.
  • After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs, but it’s important to follow these five steps every time.

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Wash Hands Before and After Using Gloves

Washing hands is important even if you’re wearing gloves. Be sure to wash your hands before and after using gloves to prevent the spread of germs. You can contaminate gloves with germs from your hands when you put on gloves. Contaminated gloves can spread germs to your hands when you remove the gloves.

Don’t let germs ruin your food plans. Make handwashing a healthy habit while preparing food for yourself and your loved ones!

– Information from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Jun 17
Love0
Alternate Entrance to the Columbus Cancer Clinic

New Safety Procedures at LifeCare Alliance Wellness Centers, Columbus Cancer Clinic

By Columbus Cancer Clinic, Featured News, Wellness

ABOVE: An alternate entrance for the Columbus Cancer Clinic helps patients avoid unnecessary potential exposure at LifeCare Alliance’s West Mound Street building.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LifeCare Alliance’s Columbus Cancer Clinic and Wellness Department are taking every precaution to ensure that clients receive care in the safest way possible for patients and staff.

Here’s what patients should expect:

Columbus Cancer Clinic

When Columbus Cancer Clinic patients arrive, they’re greeted with a temperature check, verbal health screenings, and Plexiglas between them and the clinic’s front desk. Other precautions the CCC is taking include:

  • Spacing out clinic appointments from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes.
  • Providing hand sanitizer stations, encouraging social distancing and frequent hand washing.
  • Requiring all patients and staff to wear face masks or face coverings.
  • Limiting visitors to one guest per patient

CCC Home Care Support has also put wig, bra, and prosthetic fittings on hold.

Patients who are experiencing signs of COVID-19 exposure such as coughing, fever, sore throat, and breathing difficulties have been asked to reschedule their appointments and report their symptoms to their primary healthcare provider. Patients experiencing these symptoms who don’t have a primary healthcare provider are asked to call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-427-5634.

Wellness Department

LifeCare Alliance’s Community Wellness Centers, travel clinics, and registered dietitians are conducting health screenings over the phone the day before appointments. LifeCare Alliance staff will ask patients about their health, the health of others in their household, and their recent domestic and international travel.

Patients who have been recently sick or share a household with someone who’s been recently sick will be asked to either make a telehealth appointment or reschedule their in-person appointment for a later date.

All patients and staff will wear face masks and eye coverings such as shields, goggles, and glasses during Wellness Center appointments. Registered dietitian and travel clinic appointments will require face coverings to be worn at all times.

Face-to-face dietitian meetings will be limited to LifeCare Alliance’s West Mound Street location anytime Franklin County sees an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

On June 11, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that COVID-19 tests are available to anyone who wants one, even if they are asymptomatic. To learn more about COVID-19 testing in Columbus, visit the Columbus Public Health Coronavirus Portal.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming appointment, call our Customer Service Department at 614-278-3130 or click on this box to access our contact form.

Mar 31
Love0

Fun Quarantine Ideas to Pass The Time

By Wellness

Looking for other fun, safe ideas to pass the time?

  • Call or video chat with friends and family (via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime)
  • Listen to music, a podcast, or an audio book
  • Look through old photographs/items that hold sentiment
  • Play a board or card game
  • Learn a skill you’ve always been interested in via YouTube/online tutorials
  • Crochet, knit or sew
  • Move your body – take up Yoga, go for a walk/run, take an online workout class
  • Clean out an old closet/cupboard – organize your home
  • Try a new recipe – cook or bake something new
  • Make/create something for your home by following a DIY (do it your own) online tutorial
  • Do a puzzle
  • Read a new book or reread an all-time favorite

*List compiled by Nurse Julie Poirier

For more ideas visit: https://teepasnow.com/blog/13-engagement-ideas-while-practicing-social-distancing/

Feb 04
Love0
Community Wellness Center client Fleeter

Wellness Centers link clients with accessible, affordable care

By Featured News, Wellness

This year, LifeCare Alliance will celebrate 50 years of providing wellness services, a milestone that is significant for the Agency as well as tens of thousands of clients who have been served over the decades.

Community Wellness Centers, located throughout Franklin County, have a wide reach for clients such as Ms. Fleeter, who regularly visits the Community Wellness Center at Marion-Franklin Community Center.

Ms. Fleeter has been a client for more than six years and attends exercise classes taught by Registered Nurse Barb Parker, has her blood pressure checked, and receives foot care services that prevent her from more-frequent visits to her podiatrist.

Ms. Fleeter has formed a bond with Nurse Barb. “I think she’s so nice,” she said. “She’s really sweet. I like her.”

The exercise classes taught by Nurse Barb are especially beneficial, Ms. Fleeter says.

“It helps me because my fingers sometimes get stiff. Barbara tells us plenty of things to do to loosen up your hands. ‘You’ve got to use them,’ she says. Best thing she says for your hands is washing dishes. Well, I say I sure do enough of those!”

Ms. Fleeter, who says she worked as a chef at a local hospital for more than 35 years, visits the Community Wellness Center as much as twice a week. Without the Community Wellness Center, she would need to make more frequent visits to her doctor, which would cost more money. Ms. Fleeter is also concerned about driving a longer distance because with freeway construction, driving to the doctor’s office can be confusing.

But it’s the trust Ms. Fleeter puts in Nurse Barb that keeps her coming back. Sometimes, she says, she finds herself sharing more with Nurse Barb than she does with her doctor.

“I think Barbara is  greater than my doctor!” she says.

To learn more about LifeCare Alliance’s Community Wellness Centers, visit https://www.lifecarealliance.org/programs/wellness/wellness-centers/.

Learn more

Click here to learn more about LifeCare Alliance’s wellness services, including Community Wellness Centers.

Nov 20
Love1

Food 911: How Meals-on-Wheels Redefines Population Health

By Diabetes Education, Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, Wellness

In September 2019, LifeCare Alliance was awarded a 3-year $750,000 grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Community Living (ACL) to expand our innovative model of care. While this model has been piloted and in progress since June of 2018, the grant will allow us to increase internal case management and referral infrastructure, collect health outcome data to measure the effectiveness of LifeCare Alliance interventions, and complete a thorough evaluation of collected data. Once concluded, LifeCare Alliance will publish and disseminate the findings to seek reimbursement for our holistic, one-stop-shop service model. Ultimately, the goal is to produce research that will allow for replication of our model across the nation.

Certainly, agency volunteers, staff, and supporters know firsthand the incredible impact of our services, as they partner in serving clients 365 days a year; however, the ability to quantify the successful outcomes and results will pave the way for future sustainability, relevance, and leverage in the ever-changing healthcare industry. This innovative network of referrals and information sharing is for clients who frequently depend on emergency services for basic needs.  This innovation is critical to ensuring that members of our community can age safely in place through a collaborative approach to care.

Meet Jerry and Marsha:

Jerry and Marsha, who live with the challenges of diabetes, were referred by their physician for an in-home consultation with LifeCare Alliance’s registered dietitian.  The couple, 74 and 68 years old, respectively, deal with many health concerns that began about a year ago. During that time, Marsha suffered a collapsed lung during surgery.  A month later, she tried the surgery again, but this time it was even worse—her organs began to shut down and her surgery was delayed again.  During Marsha’s healing process, they learned that Jerry needed back surgery and a pacemaker.  Because Jerry was Marsha’s only caregiver, this presented a challenge. That’s when Marsha contacted LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels program to sign up for the frozen meal program.

 “Meals-on-Wheels saved us,” said Marsha.  “Jerry and I are both diabetic, and we learned we could have a registered dietitian come to our home to help with meal planning as clients of LifeCare Alliance, we both took advantage of the service.  Now we know how to take control of our carbs and plan our meals with confidence.”

Jerry and Marsha are one story of many positive outcomes of Food 911: How Meals-on-Wheels Redefines Population Health. The impact of remaining together, independent, and in their own home—where they want to be—is significant, especially during this holiday season.

Meet the Faces of Innovation:

Molly Haroz, Director of Nutrition Programs, and Melinda Rowe, Wellness Services Director, are part of the incredible team at LifeCare Alliance that is implementing this innovative project. Understanding the challenges that many of our older adult neighbors face every day to maintain a healthy independent lifestyle, with dignity in the comfort of their own homes, the two directors have worked closely together to lay the groundwork that led to receiving the grant.

We know that the need is great!  There are still many in our community—including older adults, medical professionals, first responders, and insurance and health systems—who are not yet aware of this innovative approach. We are eager to continue spreading the word to help intercept those who are managing chronic, or even crisis, health situations. During the pilot process, we have seen that the majority of these citizens call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room to receive help with food, home repairs, etc.—services which hospital or paramedics are unable to fulfill. LifeCare Alliance’s goal is to make sure that our neighbors in need do not slip through the cracks, as they navigate complex health situations. By partnering with local fire departments and healthcare providers to refer “frequent flyers” or repeat visitors for ongoing in-home services, we are able to welcome new clients through our comprehensive array of health and nutrition programming.

Randy Little, Fire Chief of the Jackson Township Fire Department in Grove City, Ohio said of the initiative, “we have seen anecdotally how valuable LifeCare Alliance’s services are to our township residents and we look forward to continuing to grow and enhance our partnership, especially since we’ve seen such improvements in the lives of those we have referred to LifeCare Alliance.”

Tim Hill, Regional Manager-Ohio East of American Health Network of Ohio, LLC, said, “our patients come to our providers repeatedly for the same types of injuries that could have been prevented with proper nutrition, homemaking help, or even simple home repairs such as grab bar installations.  We have found that when needs are met, elderly patients often can function safely in their own homes without making multiple visits to our healthcare facilities on a weekly or monthly basis.”

Our heartfelt thanks to you, our supporters, who help make it possible for LifeCare Alliance to be innovative in meeting the needs of more than 30,000 clients each year. We look forward to sharing continued updates about the progress of this exciting project!

Jul 26
Love0
Man cooling down in the water

What You Should Know About Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

By Featured News, Wellness

LifeCare Alliance has a team of registered nurses and registered dietitians on staff, providing wellness services to the central Ohio community. 

During the summer, seniors are among the most vulnerable populations when it comes to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Our Columbus Foundation fellow, Radhika Pandit, explains the two conditions and how LifeCare Alliance can be of service.

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke

Radhika PanditThere are two main types of heat-related illnesses:

  • Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and becomes dehydrated. Symptoms include profuse sweating, dizziness, and nausea.
  • Heat stroke results from untreated heat exhaustion that has reached a critical stage. Symptoms become more severe and one may stop sweating completely due to extreme dehydration.

If you suspect someone is experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke, call 911 immediately.

Who is at a Higher Risk for Heat-Related Illnesses?

Older adults are at higher risk because they commonly take medications or have medical conditions that affect their body’s ability to regulate heat.

“Seniors need to be more mindful of their environment and take more preventative measures,” said LifeCare Alliance nurse Peggy Parisot, MSN, RN.

How Can I Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses?

In order to prevent heat-related illnesses, follow these tips from Nurse Peggy!

  • Avoid exposure to outdoor heat during the hottest periods of the day, generally 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Stay well-hydrated on hot days.
  • Wear light, layered clothing.
  • Avoid consuming alcohol because it causes rapid dehydration.
  • Wear a hat and sunscreen in the sun.
  • Look out for others and notice if they’re expressing symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Beat the Heat Fan Campaign

Living in a house without air conditioning can leave you vulnerable to heat exhaustion or heat stroke during the hot summer months.

If you are in need of a fan to cool down your house, join us during a fan distribution day. Fans are distributed at LifeCare Alliance’s Harmon Avenue facility (670 Harmon Ave). Call the Fan Hotline at 614-437-2870 for information on the next distribution event!

Learn more

Click here to visit the Wellness Department page and get information on available services and wellness center locations.

May 11
Love3

Thank you, LifeCare Alliance nurses!

By Columbus Cancer Clinic, Featured News, Help-at-Home, Wellness

Happy National Nurses Week! LifeCare Alliance, originally called the Instructive District Nursing Association and founded in 1898, was the first Visiting Nurse agency in Ohio. Today, the Agency still has a mission to lead the community in identifying and delivering health and nutrition services to meet the community’s changing needs.

National Nurses Week is May 6th-12th annually, and is a time to recognize and support the nursing profession. We want to celebrate the nurses on staff who work hard daily to make sure the needs of our clients are met through the Columbus Cancer Clinic, Help-at-Home, and the Wellness department.

Get to know some of the nurses at LifeCare Alliance:

Doris Gyasi, RN

“I have been in the nursing field for 22 years now. I started as nursing aide, medication aide, Licensed Practical Nurse, and then RN.  To me nursing is not career rather it is a calling.  I’m passionate about healthy living, education, caring, and improving lives. I love what I do.”

Thelma Fosselman

“As a child I never wanted to be a nurse.  It just never crossed my mind until I saw a sign on the OSU campus my freshman year reminding students to get their nursing school application submitted. So I did and here I am. I was an attorney for a short time but I think God has a plan for each of us and it appears that I am chosen to be a nurse and I couldn’t be happier or more fulfilled.” Thelma has been a nurse for 35 years.

Barbara A. Parker, B.S.N, R.N., Faith Community Nurse

“I have been a nurse for 49 years.  After testing the waters by volunteering as teens at Mt. Carmel Hospital, my girlfriend and I decided to continue our education at Capital University, pursuing careers in nursing.”

Melinda Rowe, BSN, RN

“Nursing is a second career for me. I have always been passionate about wellness. I started with nutrition, then fitness, and now the nursing profession. I knew I wanted to be a wellness nurse, with a focus on keeping people out of the hospital and remaining as healthy as possible. Being a nurse allows me to work alongside other nurses as well as other allied health professionals to do just this!”

Julie Poirier, B.S.N.,  R.N.

“I’ve been a nurse 29 years at LifeCare.  When I was in high school, I wanted to be a nurse because nurses care and educate people.   At LifeCare, I’ve been a visiting nurse, weekend nurse manager, home health aide supervisor, and wellness nurse.  As a wellness nurse, I help seniors with chronic illnesses and see travel health customers.   Nursing is great because you learn new things, use critical judgment, and make a difference in your patient’s lives.”

Peggy Parisot

“37+ years of nursing.  I thought it would be a practical way to help people in many different roles and no matter where I am.  My mother, grandmother, and aunt were all nurses and great role models.”

May 11
Love4
Catherine Nelson Black

Legacy Endowment Campaign featured in Columbus Business First

By Featured News, Legacy, Wellness

LifeCare Alliance’s $5 million endowment match campaign was featured this month in Columbus Business First.

The article, by staff reporter Carrie Ghose, highlighted the magnitude of such a gift to an agency such as LifeCare Alliance.

“This is a transformational thing for the agency,” LifeCare Alliance President & CEO Chuck Gehring is quoted as saying. “Groups like us never get this. If we get a $10,000 gift, we have a party.”

An anonymous donor has committed to matching the first $5 million in gifts to LifeCare Alliance’s endowment. The donation comes as the Agency celebrates its 120th anniversary.

Click here to learn more about the Legacy Endowment Campaign, contact Chuck Gehring at 614-437-2801, or Rebecca Hurd, Director of Advancement, at 614-437-2867.

Click here to donate to the Legacy Endowment Campaign now!

May 01
Love3

LifeCare Alliance honors outstanding Franklin County volunteers

By Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers, Wellness

LifeCare Alliance handed out more than 20 awards on Monday, April 1, 2018, at the annual Volunteer Recognition ceremony for outstanding Franklin County volunteers.

The Spirit Award presentation is a time to celebrate and recognize the dedication, commitment, and achievements of volunteers who give their time to our older adult citizens so they can remain independent in their homes.

This event, which honored the contributions of volunteers the previous year,  was live-streamed on Facebook Live. To watch the ceremony, click here to access the video on LifeCare Alliance’s Facebook page.

The 2017 Spirit Award recipients are:

  • American Electric Power, Corporate Leadership Spirit Award
  • Dr. Akua Amponsah, Help-at-Home Spirit Award
  • Natalie Artz, Youth Leadership Spirit Award
  • Jack DeBarr & Joseph Seifert, The Harriette Goodspeed Spirit Award
  • Kellie DuPont & Family, Future LifeCare Alliance Leader Spirit Award
  • Quentin Feng, Corporate Meals-on-Wheels Route Coordinator Spirit Award
  • Michelle Ford, Groceries to Go Spirit Award
  • Penny Henry, Catherine Gillie Spirit Award
  • Joan Hess, Farmer’s Market Spirit Award
  • Kelly Hollis, Outstanding Spirit Award
  • Huntington National Bank, Corporate Meals-on-Wheels Route Spirit Award
  • Ali Iovino, Food Production Spirit Award
  • Jackie Jacobs, Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Cherie Luckoff, Pet Care Spirit Award
  • John McHugh, Advancement Spirit Award
  • Everett Meidell, John Nilssen Memorial Spirit Award
  • Nationwide, Community Service Spirit Award
  • Nationwide PAWS, Pet Care Corporate Spirit Award
  • Ohio Dominican University, Meals-on-Wheels School Spirit Award
  • Thomas & Angela Stephens, The Samuel L. Black Volunteer Spirit Award
  • Temple Beth Shalom, The Frank Stoddard Raper Spirit Award
  • Wednesday Hump Leagues, POHC Philanthropic Spirit Award

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities for LifeCare Alliance, please call 614-444-MEAL (6325) or visit www.lifecarealliance.org to learn more.

Photo gallery

To see a gallery of images from the LifeCare Alliance Volunteer Recognition ceremony, click here.

Apr 06
Love4

NBC 4 Highlights $5 Million Match Campaign

By Legacy, Wellness

On March 27, LifeCare Alliance’s $5 million Endowment match campaign was featured on NBC 4 by reporter Courtney Yuen.

Watch this report by clicking here.

An anonymous donor has generously promised to match $5 million in Endowment donations in 2018, which will help ensure a permanent source of funding to LifeCare Alliance.

“When he said he was going to do this, I was just in tears,” said president and CEO of LifeCare Alliance Chuck Gehring. “We’ve got to be able to get to those people when they need us.”

The potential of having $10 million added to the Endowment fund this year could mean so much for our clients and the Agency’s ability to meet their needs on a long-term basis. LifeCare Alliance has relied heavily on government funding in the past, but now that this funding has decreased and the need for our services is steadily increasing, the Agency must continue to put its focus on how to secure the future for our clients.

Clients rely on services from LifeCare Alliance to meet their basic needs.  Many are not able to safely cook for themselves, so programs like Meals-on-Wheels is really important to their health and well-being.

Darlene Golden, a client of LifeCare Alliance, told NBC4: “I just love it. I just love it,” she said. “It’s very convenient because I’m not able to go out and get my food too much.”

One of the reasons the Agency has been so successful when other Meals-on-Wheels providers have long waiting lists to receive services or closed their doors due to financial reasons is because of our strong and dependent volunteer base. One of LifeCare Alliance’s volunteers, Jim Kimnach, has been with the Agency for four years. Kimnach said, “It’s a wonderful interaction every day. They have good stories to tell and they usually have a smile on their face.”

For more information or to make a donation to LifeCare Alliance’s endowment, contact Chuck Gehring, president and CEO, at 614-437-2801 or cgehring@lifecarealliance.org, or Rebecca Hurd, director of advancement, at 614-437-2867 or rhurd@lifecarealliance.org.

Click here to donate to the Legacy Endowment Campaign now!

Apr 06
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Photo of Columbus Dispatch article

$5 Million Match Campaign Featured in The Columbus Dispatch

By Legacy, Wellness

The Columbus Dispatch shared the story of LifeCare Alliance’s $5 million endowment match campaign in an article on March 25.

Read the article by clicking here.

An anonymous donor has generously committed to matching the first $5 million in Endowment gifts, beginning in 2018. The donation comes during a momentous time for LifeCare Alliance as the Agency celebrates its 120th anniversary.

“To exist into the future, we need to build this fund up,” Chuck Gehring, president and CEO of LifeCare Alliance, said. “When I heard about this opportunity, I cried.”

The Meals-on-Wheels program is the Agency’s largest service, providing 5,000 meals to 5 counties in the area daily.  One of our clients, Raymond Powell, has been receiving one of these hot, nutritious meals several times a week for 11 years now and also visits one of the Senior Dining Centers every week.

“Without them, I wouldn’t eat very well,” said Powell. “It’s good to get out of the house a bit and have a hot meal.”

An editorial appearing in The Dispatch urged the community to support the Endowment campaign.

Continuing to provide these essential services to our clients is a priority for LifeCare Alliance, and growing the Endowment fund is a key part in securing the future of the Agency.

For more information or to make a donation to LifeCare Alliance’s endowment, contact Chuck Gehring, president and CEO, at 614-437-2801 or cgehring@lifecarealliance.org, or Rebecca Hurd, director of advancement, at 614-437-2867 or rhurd@lifecarealliance.org.

Click here to donate to the Legacy Endowment Campaign now!

Feb 03
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LifeCare Alliance CEO Chuck Gehring speaks to the crowd during Big Wheels 2018

LifeCare Alliance Announces $5 Million Match Campaign

By Carrie's Cafe, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Cancer Clinic, Help-at-Home, IMPACT Safety, Legacy, Meals-on-Wheels, POHC, Visiting Nurses, Wellness

At Big Wheels 2018, LifeCare Alliance announced a $5 Million Match Campaign to secure the future, by building its Legacy Endowment.

The Legacy Endowment Campaign is designed to meet existing and future needs of LifeCare Alliance for decades to come.

An anonymous donor has generously committed to matching the first $5 million in Endowment gifts, beginning in 2018. The donation comes during a momentous occasion for LifeCare Alliance as the Agency celebrates its 120th anniversary.

This Campaign creates an opportunity for individuals and families impacted by the work of LifeCare Alliance to express their stewardship and leave their legacies in concrete and meaningful ways.

If you are interested in learning more about the Legacy Endowment Campaign or how you can become a member of the Catherine Nelson Black Society, please contact Chuck Gehring, President and CEO at 614-437-2801 or Rebecca Hurd, Director of Advancement at 614-437-2867.

Click here to donate to the Legacy Endowment Campaign now!

ABOVE: LifeCare Alliance CEO Chuck Gehring speaks to the crowd at Big Wheels 2018.