Sun Health at Home brings members together, sparking friendships

By Stephanie Conner

When Susan Young signed up for Sun Health at Home last year, she was the program’s first member. She wanted the confidence and security to stay in her own home as she got older. But as the program has grown, she’s discovered the added benefit of meeting new people and making friends.

“Sun Health at Home is a lot more than a long-term care insurance program. It’s a social organization,” she says. “It’s a great organization to belong to.”

The Power of Connection

Frances Kline has attended every social event since she joined the program last summer.

“I like them,” she says. “It gives you a chance to meet people in the same situation. They’re fun to attend.”

Frances, Susan and Kaylynn VanCamp met at an event last year, and “we just sort of clicked,” Frances says.

For Kaylynn who, admittedly, isn’t naturally outgoing, the opportunity to have someone else plan the events — and do the dishes — makes attending the events easy. “I enjoy going to them,” she says.

And while their busy schedules have made it hard to connect outside of the group, these three friends truly look forward to seeing one another at Sun Health at Home’s monthly functions.

Even when there’s an educational component, such as a tour or lecture, the programs are planned to specifically include time for conversation and connection, says Nicole Holtsclaw, program assistant and special events coordinator for Sun Health at Home.

“Socialization is a key aspect of aging successfully,” she adds. “And that is a primary goal of Sun Health at Home.”

Out and About 

Upcoming programs, notes Executive Director Barbara Mason, will be designed to get members out into the community for enrichment, education and entertainment.

“We realize that our group is social and very, very active,” Barbara says. “And so our upcoming activities include opportunities to do some activities in the community.”

The group is considering going to spring training, volunteering in the community, and having brunches and cocktail hours.

For Kaylynn, the social events are the icing on the cake. The program’s core purpose of highly personalized support and coordinated services designed to allow seniors to remain in their homes, safely and confidently is what drew her in.

“I was looking for something exactly like what Sun Health at Home is offering, but I didn’t think it existed,” she says. “Sun Health at Home offered exactly what I was looking for — an ability to stay in my home, not having to worry about who was going to take care of me if something bad happened.”

Frances also wanted to make sure she could stay in her own home as she gets older. She has friends in senior living communities, but that’s not for her. “Everyone should understand their own needs and desires,” she says.

“Explore all the options,” she advises, “and when the right one comes, you will know it.”

As the first member, Susan has a unique perspective as she’s watched Sun Health at Home grow.

“Long-term care insurance usually involves a one-time meeting with a sales person and after that you make the payments and don’t receive any support until an illness strikes,” she said. Sun Health at Home is a great alternative to long-term care insurance plus I have personal wellness coordination and these wonderful social and wellness events to make it more meaningful. As the first member, I feel a responsibility to encourage new people to take full advantage of everything offered. Also, I want to get people I talk to every day to know what a great program this is.  It is so easy to fall through the cracks of life and Sun Health at Home can keep that from happening.”