VA seeks to expand successful adult day health care program
Nov. 6—The Pittsburgh VA is always seeking new ways to connect veterans, both with its services and with one another. After a successful start to its adult day health care program this summer, it's seeking additional host sites in Monroeville, White Oak and the South Hills.
"It's been going rather well," said T.J. Sproull, vice commander at VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell, the second of three host sites to pilot the program. "We started with a small group, but every day it gets larger."
On Friday morning, ADHC participants were able to socialize, eat breakfast, work with a VA recreational therapist and meet with VA medical staff.
Steven Handler, associate chief of staff for the VA Pittsburgh's geriatrics division, said the program is a more social approach to the one currently provided at the VA's campuses.
"This is a model where we can serve more veterans in their communities, in partnership with veteran service organizations," Handler said.
The first mobile version of the program opened in June at VFW Post 7505 in Mars, followed shortly thereafter by the Lower Burrell post and American Legion Post 82 in Carnegie.
"We want to use this partnership to grow the base of veterans who are receiving VA care," Handler said. "Because we can then also let them know about other benefits they qualify for. There are a lot of services that veterans have earned, and how can we serve as the gateway for that?"
VA Nursing Manager Kari Zana said a typical day includes coffee and a light breakfast in the morning along with 30 minutes of socializing.
"Usually after that we'll do some sort of recreation," she said. "Sometimes it's a mental stimulation game, sometimes we have indoor or outdoor games we can do, arts and crafts."
Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m., followed by an afternoon activity. The program's hours vary from one location to another. Zana said having a presence out in the community also means veterans have less distance to travel to access the VA's services.
"They don't have as far to drive," she said. "But we also have one veteran who drives about 15 miles because he really enjoys being with the other veterans he's met. You see extended conversations all the time and it looks as though a lot of friendships have developed outside of the program."
Both Zana and Sproull said they're excited at how the Lower Burrell VFW's program, which runs on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., has continued to grow.
"They call it 'adult day care,' but we play cards, we do a lot of talking and it's great to get together with other veterans," Sproull said. "The people who are coming right now are all members, but we hope it may also increase our membership. I know we're getting bigger turnouts every week."
VA officials are seeking other veteran service organizations like VFWs, AMVETS and American Legions in the Monroeville, White Oak and South Hills areas to serve as future host sites.
"That's where we've really put the emphasis, because we know veterans are comfortable in that environment," Zana said. "We're looking for places where we can let the veterans spread out, without interfering in any of the activities that the halls have going on that evening."
The cost for the program is income-based for veterans enrolled in the VA's healthcare system, and ranges up to $15 per day.
For more on the program, call 412-822-2342.
Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .
