Scranton, PA (August, 2018) – In partnership with the Lackawanna County Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Area Agency on Aging, the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is offering free remote health monitoring for Lackawanna County residents age 60 and older at four different locations in the county.
Remote Older Adult Monitoring (ROAM) is a voluntary, weekly program that monitors vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, blood oxygen and weight for area seniors at no cost between visits with their physician. Trained telehealth technicians from area colleges and universities use non-invasive, FDA-approved medical devices to obtain and track senior’s vital signs. The readings are transmitted to a nurse from the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging who will contact the senior at the first sign of an alert.
“ROAM is designed to help educate older adults about chronic health conditions they may be experiencing as well as giving them the opportunity to speak regularly to a remote, telehealth nurse on the phone who can help them better manage their health between doctor visits,” noted Jason Kavulich, director of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging.
ROAM is offered for free on Mondays at the Scott Township Municipal Building (1038 Montdale Road #101, Scott Township) from 1-2:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at the Carbondale South High Rise (60 S. Main St., Carbondale) from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Thursdays at the Old Forge Borough Building (310 S. Main St. #2, Old Forge) from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Fridays at the North Pocono Library (1315 Church St., Moscow) from 10:30 – 12:30 p.m.
In addition to the Lackawanna County sites, ROAM is offered in Wayne County at the Honesdale Senior Center (323 10th St., Honesdale) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in partnership with the Wayne County Community Foundation and the Villaume Foundation.
Despite being on the cutting edge of high-tech healthcare, the ROAM program also encourages a human connection. “We’ve seen a real bond form between our ROAM participants and the student technicians,” observed Gary Drapek, United Way president. “That personal connection plays just as important a role in effective health monitoring as the high-tech equipment we utilize,” he added.
Mr. Drapek also highlighted some of the life-saving benefits the program has realized since its inception, noting, “On numerous occasions our technicians have picked up on physical anomalies which have resulted in participants seeking additional life-saving medical treatment. Our goal is to help our seniors remain active and independent while maintaining a healthy life-style.” Adding, “This program is by no means intended to replace regular medical visits but rather, augment and assist our seniors in taking control of their own continued well-being.”
For more information, please call (570) 343-1267x239 or visit uwlc.net/roam.
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