.28 Home Care Need Filled

By ROB SHILKS SWAINTON — Professional home health care is available to Cape May County's • needy with the arrival of the Holy Redeemer Visiting Nurse and Home Health Agency Operating on the premise that people recovtr more quickly from illness when in their own homes, the agency helps those who^cAnnot care fpr ttfemsclvcs, but are not "necessarily in neefi of hospitalization Services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, medical social service and home health aides '"We're 'committed to giving quality care whatever is needed," said agency administrator Wayne Whelan He cm phasized that the need for home health care is growing rapidly as the county's population of senior citizens continues to increase. Whelan, previously with Catholic Social Services, said that the services provided by the Holy Redeemer visiting nurses are not only for the elderly. / "HOMK HEALTH CARE is for anyone who needs it, no matter what age. race or creed," he said, "if we can't provide the necessary service, we try to help the person connect with the community services that can." Since the agency opened its doors Dec. 2, staff members have made more than 567 visits to patients — about 167 in December and 400 in January Care is presently being provided for about 35 residents Staff includes 13 health professionals — nine nurses, a sociajjyorker, a physical therapist and two health aides A speech therapist is expected to be hired in the near future "We provide services seven days a week," Whelan said, adding that the agen cy anticipates expanding staff and available services as the need for local home health care increases. "ONE OK OUR LONG-RANGE goals is to establish a hospice here," Whelan continued This would begin as an in-home service, expanding to a building at the agency's Route 9 facility should such a need arise

• "The hospice concept is a humanitarian way to treat the terminally ill," Whelan said. "Our concept of the hospice is to deal with the spiritual needs of both the terminally ill patient and his family. It's not just taking care of health needs...it’s dealing with the grieving process." The C?pe May County office is the agency's first rJeo outside Pennsylvania. It has been involved in the home care business, however, since 1926 when a group of nursing sisters arrived from Germany and began to minister to the sick in the Olney section of Philadelphia. The need for their services expanded and in 1973 they became certified by Medicare and opened the Holy Redeemer Visiting Nurse Agency on James Street in Philadelphia In 1979, a home care department was instituted. "THE SISTERS began considering an office at the shore after they received numerous requests for the services from retirees who settled here from Philadelphia, Whelan said. They were familiar with the area since they spend vacations and retreats at a home in Sea Isle City donated to them several years ago by a benefactor. "It took them two and a half years to get here," the administrator added, pointing to the complex process of acquiring property. a certificate of need, and the various state approvals A private non-profit organization, the

Visiting Nilrses Agency is certified by the U S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. It provides home health service on an intermittent basis to anyone living in the county. ALTHOUGH REFERRALS to the agen cy do not have to be made through a doctor or hospital, before the agency (Cah provide any services, there must t)e doctors orders, Whelan explained. He said that on the first visit to the home a nurse assesses what care is necessary, and, determines what services the Holy Redeemer nurses can supply. The planned treatment is then approved by the patient’s doctor and the agency provides the home care as long as required. "Some people need care every day while others need it only occasionally," the administrator said He added that services are provided on a sliding fee basis, and the agency will not turn away anyone who needs care and has no way of meeting the expense. "THERE ARE A LOT of people out there that need home health services and can’t pay," he said. According to the administrator, improved home health care in Cape May County needs the support and cooperation of all social service agencies and civic organizations. “The concept is people helping people," he said. "Improved health care needs everyone involved."

NeWSfiimn Dicpst (From Page 14)

that’s because properties were revalued last year. Who’s Your Sponsor? OCEAN CITY — In the ongoing battle between Mayor Jack Bittner and City Council, all Republicans, both sides traded charges about political patronage. Bittner said Council President Jeanne Clunn and Councilman Henry Knight asked him to get their sons county jobs when he was a freeholder. They agreed "That's the way the system works in the county," said Knight "The only way to get a job is through someone." f One, Two, Three CREST HAVEN - The Cape May County Bridge Commission relaxed an earlier summer bike ban on Ocean Drive bridges to permit groups of no more than 10 bicyclists. A traffic and safety study will be commissioned to come up with recommendations for a permanent policy. Interest-ing COURT HOUSE - County Treasurer * Philip R. Matalucci Jr. reported interest on investments of $1.2 million last year Since the program began in 1973. he said, the county made $8.6 million interest on invested funds. The 1982 total was about a third less than last year's $1.8 million because of declining interest rates, the ' same reason this year's figure has been projected at $900,000. More Prisoners, Jobs TRENTON - The state Capital Budgeting and Planning Commission approved Corrections Commissioner William H. Fauvei^s plan for a $44-million, 448-bed modular minimum security facility at Leesburg State Prison in Cumberland County. Residents of Cumberland and Cape May counties would get hiring preference under proposed legislation.

DELLAS STORES

DOES IT AGAIN.

FASHIONS BY TOP MAKERS!

YOUR HOMETOWN STORE SAVES YOU MORE!

LADIES FASHIONS BY: •WHITE STM •MTAUM -QUEENS •JULEEN -WMNQLER -BUNNIES •NUU -ECC0 MY -LADY ARROW •MACKINTOSH -SHIP t SHORE -K0 K0 MEN'S FASHIONS BY: •ARROW -THANE •CAREER CUIB •WRANGLER -LEVIS •CATAUNA -ABERDEEN CHILDRENS FASHIONS BOYS AND GIRLS FAMOUS MAKERS! RED UNED , MERCHANDISE ONLY

PLANTERS W SNACKS # U C Choice oi 4 M ■ ■ ■ Reg. 88* ■

SHELLY _ _ ^ CANDY A A (t Barley Sugar TT 5 oz. Size p, Reg 58‘ea. CA

PILLOW __ $188 WhitelPrints ■ PKG. of 21"x28" Reg. $2.49 2

A. CAPE MAY WASH. MALI, CAPE MAY ■ ■ 1 i ■ Aji ■ 1 1 B 1 MW AT DECATUR ■ 1 V ■|| 4 mim SMASU | 1 ■■ ■ W ■ ■ V 1 1 1 MON.-SAT. In 9« MON SAT. 9 to S a -4 t 1 1 ■ V SUNDAY It to 4