Sun Health at Home provides peace of mind to members’ adult children
By Meghann Finn Sepulveda
Staying independent is one of the most important aspects of aging. Many active adults wish to remain in the comfort of their own home as they age, but do not have resources or loved ones nearby to help manage their health needs and other long-term services. Sun Health at Home, a continuing care at home program, offers a variety of benefits, including a personal wellness coordinator who acts as a trusted resource, partner and advocate and respects the individual wishes of each member, navigates care and ensures safe and successful aging.
A sense of security
Sun Health at Home member Gene Hopp began looking at retirement communities shortly after his wife passed away in 2011, but quickly realized he wasn’t ready to leave his home. A few years later, the 78-year-old Sun City West resident learned about Sun Health at Home.
“It was the perfect solution,” he says.
While his health needs are currently minimal, Gene wanted to have a program in place that would coordinate care and other long-term services, if there was ever a need.
“I wasn’t worried, but I wanted to be covered and know that someone would take care of me if anything happens,” he explains.
The comprehensive and cost-effective Sun Health at Home program provides wellness services, coordinates in-home care, when needed, and provides a wide range of support services, which helps put members and their family members at ease.
“Our wellness coordinators are dedicated to meeting the individual needs of our members, which often comes as a relief to adult children, many whom live out of state,” says Barbara Mason, executive director at Sun Health at Home.
Valuable peace of mind
Gene, a retired airline pilot, discussed the program with his two sons before he joined Sun Health at Home in 2016.
“The decision was, in a sense, more for their sake,” Gene says.
Gene’s youngest son Steve, 51, who resides in Colorado with his wife and daughter and serves as Gene’s medical power of attorney, is grateful his dad has a long-term care plan in place.
“Sun Health at Home gives me comfort, especially since I live too far away to regularly check on him,” Steve says.
Personalized support
All Sun Health at Home members have access to a wide range of services, with a lifetime guarantee of care, including an in-home functional and safety assessment, health and wellbeing services, medication management, nutritional support and transportation coordination.
Wellness coordinators, who are either licensed social workers or registered nurses, look out for the overall wellbeing of each member, while maintaining privacy, honoring personal wishes, navigating health care, assisting with decision making and offering individualized support.
“I’ve been able to communicate with the wellness coordinator on a regular basis, which has been very valuable these last few months,” Steve says. “She makes sure my dad gets to his doctor appointments and keeps me in the loop about his medical issues.”
Today Gene is active and spends his days hiking, dancing, playing bridge and reading.
He is very comfortable in his home but recognizes that he might someday require in-home care or may need to transition to a Sun Health Senior Living community.
“I’m not sure when that will be, but for now, knowing I have a plan in place gives me peace of mind,” he says.
