Eight residents from Lock Haven Rehabilitation and Senior Living have recently graduated from the Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents (PEER) Program.
PEERs are long-term care residents who are trained to self advocate and empower their fellow residents in an attempt to improve their quality of life and care in long-term care facilities. The program is open to all residents of nursing, personal care and assisted living homes as well as older adult daily living centers.
Founded in 2002, the PEER program is unique to Pennsylvania, and the STEP Office of Aging ombudsman began presenting the program in 2006.
Each nursing home and most personal care homes in Lycoming and Clinton Counties participate in the program.
Residents took two-hour long classes for five weeks taught by Marian Conn and Traci Foster of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program with the STEP Office of Aging.
Peg Ziegler, Candy White, Bob Eyer, Mary Snook, Rose Marie Heaps, Becky Smith, Sandy Warner and Connie Gettig all received a badge that identifies them as PEERs who are ready to help their fellow residents or faculty/staff.
The aspiring PEERs received information on resident rights, various roles of facility staff, problem-solving tools such as the “ladder of resolution,” respecting confidentiality and the differences in people and how to report abuse.
“It’s been great. You feel like you’re making a difference even if it’s a little thing (to you,)” said Conn.
Currently, there are 102 trained PEERs active in the bi-county area — with 23 active residents at Lock Haven Rehabilitation and Senior Living.
“I love being involved,” said Warner. “A lot of people are shy and they don’t want to go to a higher person. They’ll talk to someone who is equal. I love people. It’s not that there’s a lot of problems, but we want to solve them before they get big. If we can help, then that’s good.”
Ziegler explained that though she can’t see — and therefore can’t read or write — that hasn’t stopped her from entering the program. She may not be able to do those things, but she still has her mind and can lend a listening ear to her fellow residents.
“I wanted to be part of the PEER program because you’re helping people. You need good care,” said Zeigler.
One PEER, Becky Smith, is a retired nurse and has now had experience on both sides of the long-term care facility.
“(The program) was very educational and very worthwhile. The public isn’t aware of what goes on in facilities like this. It would help us to help them understand more. I’m an old geriatric nurse, and even in this course I learned more. I’m a retired LPN, so I’ve seen both sides and I get very frustrated,” said Smith.
Residents coming into the program are often unsure about their place in the long-term care facility and have an adjustment period. The PEERs can help make that transition smoother by offering a friendly face, and by educating other residents about their rights.
“Until you’re actually here, you don’t have the foggiest idea of what you’re going to have to get used to… You have to depend on your family. I’m trying to make a difference,” said Gettig.
For more information you can visit aging.pa.gov
