Meadowview hosts PEER graduation

On March 23, 2018, residents of Meadowview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center were honored at a graduation ceremony recognizing their commitment in meeting the training requirements to become members of the PEER project. 

Meadowview is a new training site for the Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents (PEER) project.  Graduates were treated to a reception and refreshments were served.  Carol Dieffenbach, B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Ombudsman and the Activities Department of Meadowview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center were available to recognize the graduates on their recent accomplishments. 

Administrator Sue Smith praised the residents for partnering with the Department of Aging on this statewide project.   Social Worker Erica Yerke, representatives from the therapy, nursing, activities   departments attended the ceremony. 

PEER Connie Arthur read the poem “Look at Me” to the group.  Resident Joe Wilson read “One at a Time”.

PEER (Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents) project encourages a partnership between residents and facility staff to work together to solve concerns before they become more intense problems.  The PEER Project is a concept to train resident advocates to work from the inside with facility staff and residents to enhance quality of care and quality of life for their “peers”. 

The PA State Ombudsman Office initiated the project to work with selected sites with long term care residents who have volunteered their time and expertise to self-advocate issues that will resonate for their “peers”. 

Graduates attended 10 one hour training sessions, which provided tolls on self-resolution and advocacy.  Residents graduating on March 23, 2018 were:  Donald Whitney, Dorothy Smith, Connie Arthur, Roberta Lowry, Frances Allen, Byron Gunn.  Residents will continue to meet at Meadowview Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center to promote quality of care and life for all residents in the facility. 

To learn more about the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Ombudsman Program or the PEER Project, please call 1-800-982-4346.   

The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the United Way of Bradford County; the Lycoming County United Way; the United Way of Susquehanna County and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners. For additional information on Area Agency on Aging services, please call 1-800-982-4346.