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For the Caregiver

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Services we offer for caregiver

Advanced care planning helps you prepare for medical decisions in the event you're unable to communicate. It involves discussing your preferences with loved ones and healthcare providers, and documenting them in an advance directive, a legal document that guides your care during a serious illness or emergency. This directive can be updated as your health or wishes change.

Helpful Resources:

Elder Care Attorneys
Elder law attorneys help with legal planning related to healthcare, finances, and long-term care.

Local Options:

St. Luke’s Older Adult Behavioral Health Units accept patients age 60+ (younger patients may be considered on a case-by-case basis). Services include:

  • Geriatric-trained psychiatrists
  • Medical-surgical nurses
  • Mental health technicians
  • Case managers
  • Activity therapists

They also treat co-existing medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.𠊏or more info or referrals, call: 484-602-2733

24/7 Crisis Support Lines
If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or reach out to your county’s crisis line:

Individual Counseling for St. Luke’s Senior Patients & Caregivers
Suzanne Shilling-Askew, LCSW
To schedule: 484-822-5736

Caregiving can be overwhelming. St. Luke’s offers support through therapy referrals, virtual support groups, and caregiver education. Talk to your primary care provider about a therapy referral.

Support Resources:

  • Virtual Support Group – St. Luke’s Senior Care Associates
  • Savvy Caregiver Program – 6-week training | Contact Wendy: 610-969-2147
  • Alzheimer’s Association Support Groups: alz.org

Educational Tools:

Helpful Apps:
This can help to manage medications, track tasks, coordinate care.

To help reduce the risk of falls, consider reviewing safety guidelines and exploring fall alert systems designed for older adults.

As care needs increase, different living arrangements and services are available to support older adults and their caregivers.

Levels of Care:

  • Independent/Retirement Communities – Community living with minimal assistance
  • Residential/Personal Care Homes – Smaller settings offering personal-care services
  • Assisted Living – Help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or medication
  • Skilled Nursing Homes – 24/7 medical care and supervision
  • Memory Care – Specialized support for cognitive impairments such as dementia
  • Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) – Multiple care levels within one facility

Respite Care:

  • Short-term care (typically 1–2 weeks) for seniors when their primary caregiver is unavailable. *this is not covered by insurance.*

Senior Placement Agencies:

  • These agencies help match individuals with the appropriate level of care.
  • Care Patrol – Mary Ann Pickell | 610-509-0445
  • Premier Senior Placement – Karen Onushco | 484-764-0610
  • A Place for Mom – Lori Horvath | 570-899-5027

Home care aides can help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, meals, housekeeping, and transportation. Services typically cost around $30/hour (4-hour daily minimum), and may be covered by long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, or state waiver programs.

Local Homecare Agencies:

Waiver Services
Eligible PA residents 60+ may qualify for state-funded homecare via the Aging Waiver. To apply, contact your local Area Agency on Aging for a care and financial assessment.

Local Aging Offices:

At St. Luke’s we offer specialized care for those with serious illnesses (e.g., cancer, heart failure, COPD). It focuses on relieving symptoms, improving quality of life, and supporting patients and families at any stage of illness, alongside curative treatments.

To learn more about St. Luke’s Palliative Care, click here.

Hospice Care

Comfort-focused care for those nearing end of life, when curative treatment is no longer effective or desired. It provides medical, emotional, and spiritual support through a dedicated care team.

To learn more about St. Luke’s Hospice Care, click here.

To learn more about Hospice and Palliative Care, click here.

Meal Delivery & Nutrition
Support for homebound individuals or those needing help with meals or supplements.

Medication Management
Convenient ways to manage medications at home.

Youngs Durable Medical Equipment (Adapt Health) - Available with a doctor’s prescription. Coverage varies by insurance; private pay accepted.

Below is a list of available medical equipment–including the following:

  • Hospital beds
  • Rolling walkers
  • Canes
  • Shower chairs
  • Raised toilet seats
  • Nebulizers
  • Oxygen
  • Ostomy supplies
  • Incontinence supplies
  • Diabetes management supplies
  • Urology supplies
  • CPAP
  • Eternal nutrition supplies

Learn more at 610-258-1585 or at adapthealth.com.

Hearing

  • SuperEar Hearing Amplifier
  • If you're looking for a hearing amplifier, consider the Super Ear. Not only are they cost-effective, but they're also easy to find on Amazon or other websites. So complete an ENT or audiologist assessment to identify the hearing amplifier that's right for you. For more information on the SuperEar. To learn more, visit the following website: Personal Sound Amplification Products | SuperEar

Home Modifications
This is not covered by insurance; private pay only.

101 Mobility | Phone: 610-674-6360 | Website: www.101mobility.com/allentown/
101 Mobility provides the following:

  • Stairlifts
  • Wheelchair lifts
  • Ramps
  • Grab bars
  • Shower modifications
  • Patient lifts
  • Elevators

Power Stair Lifts

Helpful Products
Below is a list of products to keep you or your loved one safe:

At St. Luke’s we provide supervised care, personal and nursing services, therapeutic activities, meals, and caregiver support for older adults and those with conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s. Some also offer therapies and medical services.

Lehigh County

Northampton County

Bucks County

Montgomery County

Schuylkill County

Senior Centers

Offer meals, recreation, and wellness programs.

Find more: aging.pa.gov/local-resources/Pages/Senior-Center.aspx

Seniors in Lehigh and Northampton Counties have several options:

  • LantaBus offers free fixed-route rides for those 65+ and $1 day passes for Medicare cardholders (application required).
  • LantaVan provides door-to-door service for eligible individuals. Call 888-253-8333 or visit lantabus.com.
  • PA Transportation Services offers door-to-door rides with wheelchair lifts across the Lehigh Valley. Call 484-358-8932.
  • ITN Lehigh Valley serves seniors and visually impaired individuals. Call 610-419-1645 or visit itnlehighvalley.org.
  • GoGoGrandparent helps coordinate transportation, groceries, pharmacy items, meals, and emergency contact updates. Call 855-464-6872 or visit gogograndparent.com.

In New Jersey, EZ Ride’s Ryde4Life program connects adults 18+ with Lyft and Uber. Call 201-939-4242 or visit ezride.org.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an early stage of memory loss where symptoms are noticeable–but individuals can still perform most daily activities.

MCI can develop for a variety of reasons, including dementia. However, it also may not be related. For those with neurodegenerative diseases, MCI can be an early stage of the disease continuum that includes Alzheimer's (if the hallmark changes in the brain are present).

In some individuals, MCI can either remain stable or reverse--resulting in prior cognitive abilities. Note that not all cognitive impairment is MCI. Medications can even cause cognitive impairment. As a result, individuals experiencing cognitive changes should meet with their provider for diagnosis and possible treatment.

You can find more information by consulting the Alzheimer's Association.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in memory, thinking, and behavior that interferes with daily life. It’s not a single disease but a group of conditions caused by abnormal brain changes—most commonly Alzheimer's disease. Dementia can also affect mood, relationships, and communication. While age increases risk, dementia is not a normal part of aging.

Learn more and find support at the Alzheimer’s Association.

Valley Health Partners (VHP) provides a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals to help support the health and well-being of veterans. This program offers care coordination, education, and information to help them navigate the current health care system. Additionally, VHP Veteran Health Program's trained professionals specialize in veteran care--so they're well-versed in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense benefits.

Phone: 610-969-2082
Address: Valley Health Partners Veteran Health Program, School of Nursing, first floor
1628 W. Chew St., Allentown, PA
Website: valleyhealthpartners.org

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Our multidisciplinary team evaluates the physical, social and cognitive health of seniors, to provide customized plans for optimizing their health and quality of life.

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