The “On the Go” Ladies of HCO
To say that the four women of Home and Community Options Skyline Drive program are always “on the go” would be an understatement. Here is a snapshot of some of the activities of two of these “on the go” women:
Cheryl starts her day a 7:45am with physical therapy and then heads to work. When she returns from work at 2:45pm she has more therapy and packs he lunch for the next day. One night a week she cooks dinner. Thursday she takes math, reading and writing courses and has aqua aerobics at the YMCA. She takes computer classes twice a week, attends church every Sunday and is involved with various community education classes. She is also an enthusiastic member of HCO’s Sharon Kannenberg Fundraising Committee.
Katherine heads to work at 7:45am and when she returns home at 2:45 she starts her household skills program. Katherine also cooks one meal a week, bowls every Thursday, attends church every Sunday and visits the YMCA three days a week. Her monthly activities include People of Faith and community education classes. She also has activities nearly every weekend with her friends.
Not included in their weekly activities, but certainly part of their routine are the doctor appointments, haircuts, grocery and personal needs shopping, family visits, house cleaning and laundry.
It is difficult for one person to manage a hectic and busy schedule of their own. Imagine coordinating the schedules, transportation and medical administration of four active and vibrant women with special needs. That is exactly what one coordinator and the ten round the clock staff are able to do with the help of our e-file program. The pilot e-file at Skyline has decreased the number of staff hours needed to process hand written medical documentation by 25% it has also streamlined the communication between staff members and decreased medicine errors significantly.
Quality of life is about living active lives and being part of the community. Thanks to the support of caretakers and family members those ladies with disabilities live happy and fulfilling lives.