Worcester, Mass., November 4, 2008―Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP) announced today that it has received approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to open a second Summit ElderCare® facility in Worcester, Mass. The newly-constructed 11,700-square-foot facility is located at 1369 Grafton St. and accommodates 100 program participants each day. When operating at full capacity, the site will be staffed by more than 50 professionals with expertise in geriatric care, including physicians, nurses, health aides, social workers, activities coordinators and administrative staff.
“Fallon Community Health Plan is always looking at ways to further meet the diverse needs of the rapidly growing aging population. With this additional facility we can increase our capacity to serve even more older adults in Central Massachusetts who would benefit from the personalized medical attention, coordinated geriatric care, in-home support services and insurance coverage offered by Summit ElderCare,” said Richard Burke, Division President, Senior Care Services, FCHP. “By providing an attractive alternative to nursing home placement, a PACE program such as Summit ElderCare helps to support families who want to keep their loved ones at home.”
Summit ElderCare has served residents of Worcester County and the towns of Marlborough and Hudson for more than 13 years, and currently has locations in Charlton, Leominster and on East Mountain St., in Worcester, with more than 150 total employees on staff.
“The opening of this second facility in Worcester is great news for the community,” said Karen J. Longo, Executive Director of Summit ElderCare. “We know what kind of an impact we have made in the lives of our participants and their caregivers throughout the years. We are truly excited about being a part of the Grafton Hill area and look forward to serving program participants at our newest facility.”
Sponsored by Fallon Community Health Plan, Summit ElderCare is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)—the only one of its kind in Central Massachusetts and one of six in Massachusetts. The program is an insurance, medical care and social support system in one convenient package. The program includes prescription drugs, medical care, support services in the home, medical transportation, and adult day health services to address the complex health needs and social support of adults aged 55 and older who wish to avoid nursing home placement.
Summit ElderCare has named Bonnie L. Reynolds, R.N., M.S., Site Director, with overall responsibilities for managing the Grafton St. facility. David R. Fields, M.D. has been appointed the primary care physician.
“We are very pleased by the expansion of Summit ElderCare here in Worcester,” said City Manager Michael O’Brien. “Summit ElderCare has been providing services to our elders for more than a decade, and we are fortunate to have two facilities right here in our community to meet the growing needs of seniors and those who care for them.”
Those who would like more information about the Summit ElderCare program are invited to call 1-800-698-7566 or visit www.summiteldercare.org.