When it comes to helping the elderly “age in place” at home and affordably, there’s no place like Satellite Beach and its expanding Community Medic program.
Starting with 15 participants in 2008, there are now about 150 participants, prompting Fire Chief Dave Abernathy on April 17 to request the City Council create the position of part-time community medic to supplement current volunteer staffing by shift personnel.
Currently shouldering the load is Lead Community Medic Melanie Drake, who was hired in 2015 from within the department and has made it her life’s passion to grow the program. You can see the compassion behind her work as she gently checks the blood pressure of her now friend and client Betty Wilkinson, 88, a Satellite Beach resident since 1964. Wilkinson’s house is now equipped with grab bars in the halls and bathroom, and a lock box like realtors use to give first responders access in an emergency.
“All my children are so glad there’s somebody checking on me,” Wilkinson said. She was doing well until she injured a knee, making it impossible to reach down for her small dog who needs medication. Now she looks forward to the visits because she has help with her dog as well as her health and well-being.
Participants in the program receive a weekly in-home paramedic exam including a 12 Lead ECG, and vital-sign checks including weight, blood glucose and oxygen saturation. In addition, compliance with medications and nutrition are reviewed, and primary care providers are consulted on health status and potential needs.
Besides medical help, the program is partnered with Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT) Volunteers in Motion, which can take seniors to doctor’s appointments as well as to non-medical events and activities.
They also help with discharge coordination from hospitals, making sure participants and their care-givers have everything they need including medical equipment, medications and physical therapy to avoid hospital readmission.
Formerly entirely free to Satellite Beach residents, starting about a month ago, for those with insurance, some services are being billed through a new Medicare and supplement insurance billing program. The city has partnered with Care Advantage, LLC, as a pilot program to help recoup funding for the program, but those without insurance can still be part of the program with no reduction in services.
“Patients that are enrolled in Care Advantage through the program can be visited by a nurse practitioner. They bill the insurance and that city gets a portion of the payment,” Drake said.
Linda Cash of Colorado signed on with the Community Medic program in January when her 91-year-old longtime Satellite Beach resident mother took a bad fall after a walk. Although her mother didn’t break any bones, the incident was a wake-up call, she said.
Drake followed up after the 911 call, as she does with all emergencies involving the elderly, and started the process with Cash to provide as much support and help for her mother as possible.
“She didn’t want to move to Colorado and she wants to live in her home. I happened to be right beside her when that happened and it happened so fast I didn’t know what to do. I called (the community medic program) and it is phenomenal. Believe me this is unique; I’ve have been a physical therapist for 25 years and there is nothing that I’ve ever run across like it. I’m so happy, because I don’t live here, to have some support and this is such positive support. She wants to stay in her home and it’s possible with this program,’’ Cash said.
For more information, call 321 773-4404, Ext. 4.