The Visiting Nurse Association HouseCalls Program provides direct medical care in the home to more than 500 chronically ill seniors who lack access to basic medical care and treatment. On the West Side, the program is particularly active the Bellaire-Puritas, Edgewater and Old Brooklyn areas. Their research has shown that 25% of seniors are discharged from a hospital with no identified primary care provider, and overall 6.2% of Cleveland’s seniors have unmet health care needs.

This program provides direct assessment and primary care by a physician or nurse practitioner in the client’s home. Patients remain in the program until they can no longer remain in the home and other arrangements are made. While in VNA HouseCalls, a medical visit is made approximately once a month, or more often if needed.

The Foundation grant of $25,000 will provide 3 hourlong medical visits per day for one year to 200 seniors Cleveland’s west side. This coordinated support system will help seniors to better manage a disease or illness, while remaining in the comfort and dignity of their own home.