New Castle, PA, (June 6, 2011) – Older adults in Lawrence County have a new option in senior care as LIFE Lawrence County, a partnership of Lutheran SeniorLife and Heritage Valley Health System, opened its doors on West State Street in New Castle on June 1.

LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) is an innovative alternative to nursing home care and is designed to restore and preserve an older adult’s ability to live independently in his/her own home or the home of a caregiver. The LIFE program helps eligible older adults who are living at home by managing their complex medical, functional and social needs. LIFE Lawrence County also provides support and assistance to caregivers and to family members involved in providing care.

“This is a much needed service for Lawrence County where there is a large population of older adults,” said Toni Hively, Executive Director, LIFE Programs. “It is especially important because it provides the older adults in Lawrence County with yet another excellent option for their long term care.”

Eligible enrollees in the LIFE Lawrence County have a full range of services available to them at no cost including comprehensive medical care, adult day care, personal care, complete prescription coverage, rehabilitation therapies, housekeeping and laundry services, recreational programs and transportation to and from the LIFE center where medical and social needs are met, upon agreement to receive all needed health care,
including primary care and specialty physician services (other than emergency services) from LIFE Lawrence County and its providers.

“LIFE Lawrence County is a natural extension of Heritage Valley’s strong relationship with Lutheran SeniorLife, both through our LIFE Beaver County joint venture in Center Township and its future GREEN HOUSE senior living initiative in Aliquippa,” said Norm Mitry, President and CEO of Heritage Valley Health System.

LIFE Lawrence County complements Heritage Valley’s other area services including the Heritage Valley ConvenientCare walk-in clinic at the New Castle Walmart and Heart & Vascular Center and VeinCare locations in Ellwood City and New Castle. In addition, Heritage Valley offers primary care services provided through Heritage Valley Medical Group and Tri-State Pediatric Associates, a laboratory draw site and the Heritage Valley Diagnostic Center in Ellwood City.

The LIFE Lawrence County program is patterned after the national PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program which has been successful across the nation and Pennsylvania, as well as in nearby Beaver, Butler, and Allegheny Counties in which Lutheran SeniorLife operates other LIFE centers.

For more information on LIFE Lawrence County, please contact Mary Lou Harju at 724-302-2021.

About Lutheran SeniorLife
Lutheran SeniorLife is western Pennsylvania's premier provider of senior living and health care communities. Now in our second century of caring for seniors, our Christian faith-based ministry is the cornerstone of our mission — helping seniors live a full and abundant life in a setting that promotes wellness and independence. In addition to residential and assisted living communities, Lutheran SeniorLife provides a comprehensive array of health and wellness services for seniors, including: home health care, rehabilitation services and this region's premier Alzheimer's care program. Additional information about Lutheran SeniorLife and LIFE Lawrence County is available online at www.lutheranseniorlife.org.

About Heritage Valley Health System
Heritage Valley Health System provides comprehensive healthcare for residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, in Pennsylvania; eastern Ohio; and the panhandle of West Virginia. In partnership with more than 425 physicians, Heritage Valley offers a broad range of medical, surgical and diagnostic services at its two hospitals, Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley; in physician offices; and community satellite facilities. Additional information about Heritage Valley Health System is available online at www.heritagevalley.org.