Dominican Sisters offering home health care for seniors | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- As more and more baby boomers reach their senior years, a group of Christian educators in Grand Rapids is shifting gears to meet their needs. The Dominican Sisters announced Thursday that they will provide home care and spiritual guidance for the elderly.

The sisters have been in Grand Rapids for over 100 years and over time, their Marywood campus grew into a 34-acre center for education. Sister Nathalie Meyer says they are responding to the needs of the times by transitioning from education to healthcare.

The new venture is called Marywood Home Health. The Dominican Sisters are partnering with Porter Hills retirement communities, which have been around for 40 years. Both recognize that some people want to stay in their homes and can't afford to live in a retirement community.

Porter Hills CEO Larry Yachcik says, "The sisters have always been interested in providing affordable opportunities to people who sometimes fall through the cracks or are left out of that process." They will provide spiritual services and home health care. "The home health services will include personal care, licensed nursing, rehab therapy, health monitoring, mental health services and spiritual companionship," says Meyer.

Marywood Home Health will also provide basic care, like housekeeping or grocery shopping. They will also educate people on additional free or discounted services in the community. For example, Kent County passed a millage in 2006. It provides 44 services like home repairs, transportation, or home delivered meals.

Jachcik says, "There's a lot of people who don't know who to ask, for the services and don't think they can afford them." Marywood Home Care will begin its new venture October 10th. Those involved say their main goal is to make sure that senior citizens are cared for, in every way. Senior resources include:

- Gerontology Network - 616-456-6135
- Area Agency on Aging - 616-456-5664
- Kent County Senior Millage - 616-456-5664
- Cherry Street Health Services - 616-235-7289
- Disability Advocates of Kent County - 616-949-1100
- American Association for the Deaf/Blind - www.aadb.org
- Alzheimer's Association - www.alz.org - 201-261-6009
- Office of Military and Veterans Affairs (State of Michigan) - www.michigan.gov/dmva