‘UCH Cares’ Program Offers Solutions to Older Adult Residents

As a unique extension of United Church Homes (UCH), based in Marion, Ohio, UCH Cares offers UCH residents home-based support and personal care services so that they can continue to live an abundant life on their terms. UCH Cares provides vital services that help residents remain independent and active, whether the need is temporary or as needs evolve and more support is needed.

“This program fills my heart because we can meet with clients and family members to create a flexible service plan based on their individual needs,” said Shannon Rowland, LPN, UCH Cares, and personal care services supervisor at United Church Homes’ Trinity Community at Miami Township (Ohio). “These customized solutions provide assistance for routine tasks or occasional support to promote peace of mind and independence amongst our residents and their loved ones.”

The assistance provided through UCH Cares covers a wide range of services. “We help residents with tasks big and small — everything from medication reminders, appointment and scheduling assistance, and pet care to meal preparation and delivery, transportation assistance, and bathing and grooming,” said Rowland. “Our goal is to meet our residents’ needs as they change so they can live their best life.”

An example of the difference that UCH Cares provides is the support of a resident with diabetes at The Trinity Community at Miami Township. “We provide him medication management, reminders, daily check-ins to evaluate his blood sugar, and make sure that he’s eating his breakfast,” Rowland said. “As a result, he has been managing things well and recently stopped his insulin per his physician’s order.”

His sister and guardian found peace of mind knowing that UCH Cares is supporting their loved one. “The resident’s family told us how much they appreciate our helpful and caring personal care team,” Rowland added. “They mentioned how often the caregiver goes above and beyond and that, without the program, their brother wouldn’t be able to live independently.”

“It’s the simple things that truly matter,” Rowland said. “I had a client call saying she couldn’t get her clocks changed for daylight savings. We were able to fix all her clocks that same day, and she hugged the caregiver when they left. Giving back to our residents is so rewarding.”

Currently, UCH Cares is currently available at the Ohio Trinity Communities at Miami Township, Beavercreek, and Fairwood, and at UCH’s Polaris Community in Columbus, Ohio.