Albright LIFE (Living Independently for Elders) Williamsport is accepting participants as young as 55 years old due to a recent certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Prior to the CMS certification, participants had to be 60 or older to qualify for Albright LIFE's services.
LIFE is that state's version of the nationally recognized Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). LIFE is an innovative program for seniors that addresses participant's increasing healthcare needs while enabling them to continue living at home.
LIFE provides a nursing home level of care, but in a day-center setting.
Participants are picked up from home in the morning, and returned home in the afternoon. At the LIFE center, 901 Memorial Ave., participants benefit from coordinated medical care, a wide range of therapies, meals and snacks, medicine management and social interaction through group activities.
"Home and community based services like LIFE are becoming the preferred model of healthcare," said John Ressler, executive director of Albright LIFE Williamsport. "It's important that we continue to make these services more accessible for our community members that are capable of aging at home."
Lowering the eligible age for LIFE to 55 allows individuals to benefit from preventative care, education and close monitoring of chronic conditions at an earlier age. This coordinated approach to care helps delay or in some cases may prevent traditional nursing home stays altogether. Coordinating care also can help control costs for providers and insurers.
"It's a win-win," Ressler said. "Participants receive all the care and services they need and maintain their independence, and the State is able to moderate the burgeoning cost of healthcare."
Since opening in 2008, Albright LIFE Williamsport has helped more than 90 seniors age at home, and saved county taxpayers more than $1.5 million.
Albright LIFE Williamsport is owned and operated by Albright Care Services, a faith-based nonprofit organization.
Albright also operates RiverWoods Senior Living Community in Lewisburg, Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community in York, Albright LIFE in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, Slifer House Museum in Lewisburg and manages Warrior Run Manor, a HUD-approved housing complex in Watsontown.
