Local RN Provides Community Services for Vulnerable Adults
by Loni Rahm
There’s a shortage of funding but not of patients for the Chelan Valley’s Community Nurse, Michelle Jerome, RN, BSN.
The one-year program demonstration grant — sponsored in a cooperative effort between United Health Care, Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation and Lake Chelan Community Services Council — expires July 31st. As a result, Jerome is currently splitting her time between community awareness presentations, fund-raising activities and seeing her clients.
And the number of clients she needs to see continues to grow even as the funding dwindles.
Jerome has over 150 people in her community nursing database. She conducts occasional to frequent home visits with over 40 of them. Her clients range in age from 28-96, but are mostly senior citizens who have specific informational or medical needs that aren’t being met.
“These are vulnerable adults who either want to be at home or who have no other choice,” explains Jerome.
The program is not insurance driven, so Jerome is free to work with clientele across the economic and medical spectrum. Because she is bilingual, Jerome often provides translation support to Spanish-speaking clients who need assistance understanding medications and treatments, especially after a hospital discharge.
She conducts blood pressure screenings, educates clients about new conditions and helps them manage chronic conditions. She also serves as an information resource, providing referrals to physicians, facilities, agencies and organizations who can provide additional support and services.
The primary goal of the Community Nurse is to problem solve and enable people to remain in their homes. Jerome has spend the majority of her 35 year nursing career conducting home visits with experience in home health, hospice, public health and maternal/child care.
She feels strongly that visiting in a home environment provides nurses and health care workers with vital information about the client’s strengths, weaknesses and support options.
Hershal & Karen Joyner have utilized Jerome’s services for his 96-year old mother, enabling her to remain at home far longer than they originally anticipated. “It’s a fantastic program,” Hershal said. “It really fulfills a need and it’s such a comfort to have someone coming to mom’s house if she needs something and doesn’t know where to go.”
“Michelle isn’t just a nurse,” added Karen. “She befriends you.”
Jerome does not collect a fee for any of the services she provides. 100% of the program costs are supported by the grant, which is run through the Lake Chelan Lutheran Church.
While Jerome is hoping to find an experienced grant-writer to pursue long-term Chelan Valley Community Nurse funding options, her immediate need is reflected in the clock that is rapidly counting down to July 31st.
More Information:
If you or someone you know needs assistance, if you would like to donate or get additional information about Community Nursing, you can call/text Michelle at 509-679-9059 or email her at touchstonehealthchelan@gmail.com. You can also follow her on facebook/LakeChelanCommunity Nurse.
