Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation recently broke ground for a unique one-stop shop health care system for seniors in Tahlequah. The Cherokee Elder Care program is designed to provide seniors with access to both health care and social services. Cherokee Nation officials, dignitaries from the Indian Health Service and others gathered to celebrate the commencement of construction on the new $1 million building that will house the innovative program.
"L-R are: Rick Richards, Director, CNHH; Melissa Gower, Norma Merriman, Group Leaders CNHS; Callie Catcher, Acting CEO, CN Businesses; Sharon Swepston, Board Member CNHP; Chad Smith, CN Principal Chief; Joe Grayson, Jr., CN Deputy Principal Chief; Pam Irons, Board Member, CNHP; John Daugherty, Area Director IHS; and Mike Brown, Oklahoma State Rep." 
The Cherokee Elder Care program will be the first of its kind in Oklahoma, and the first of its kind coordinated by a tribal government. The facility will serve 150 people and provide 50 new jobs.
“We’ve seen this model work in 39 urban areas,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, “so the real challenge is making it work in a rural area.” Smith noted that a successful program will likely have implications far beyond the Cherokee Nation as the rural model is developed and implemented, encouraging other rural areas to emulate what is being put into practice in Tahlequah.
The program is unique because it provides an all-inclusive team approach to senior care by allowing seniors to utilize the services of physicians, pharmacists, social workers, dieticians and even physical or speech therapists during a single visit. According to Rick Richards, director of Cherokee Nation Home Health Services, many elderly people get lost in the system of social services and health care and this program is designed to prevent that from happening by employing the team approach.
Several times a week, the entire team of providers will meet to evaluate the participant’s well-being. If there are changes in a patient’s health status or any other notable change, the team is able to address it quickly before the person’s health begins to deteriorate.
The program is open to anyone in the service area age 55 and older who may require medical, social or other support services to continue living safely in their own home. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted in most cases, and the program is open to Cherokees and non-Cherokees alike. The services are compatible with home health nurse visits and transportation to and from the center will be provided for those who need it.
Smith said that he is excited about the program because it allows elders to stay in their own homes as long as possible. He added that it’s a great privilege to be able to help improve the quality of seniors’ lives and that we also receive a benefit in return.
“We’re not just providing something for the elders; they are also giving something back to us by continuing to give us that guidance and that leadership that we value,” Smith said.
Funding for the new facility is being provided by Cherokee Nation Businesses, a company wholly-owned by the Cherokee Nation. When complete in 2007, the program is projected to serve 150 people and to provide 50 new jobs. The Cherokee Elder Care facility will be located at 1387 W. 4th St. in Tahlequah.
Related path(s):
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |
