“The program is special. They’ve become like family to me.”
Gloria has lived in Squirrel Hill for almost 80 years, and she says she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Although she can’t do all of the things she used to, Gloria can still live at home thanks to the support of the UPMC Living-at-Home Program. The program provides in-home care and support for older adults, even beyond health care. Services include home-delivered meals, grocery shopping, housekeeping, yard work, and more.
Gloria has used UPMC Living-at-Home for many years and has convinced all of her friends to use it, too.
Since joining the program, Gloria has developed a strong relationship with lead care coordinator Mark S., along with the nurses and others who have helped her.
When she has a problem — whether it’s with her medication or something around her home — she calls Mark.
“I don't think I could get along without Living-at-Home,” she says. “The program is special. They’ve become like family to me.”
Gloria says she finds it difficult sometimes to depend on other people for help. In the past, she was the person who drove her friends and family around. But after having cancer twice, she has to rely on others more.
“It's hard when you're my age and you live alone and you have to be dependent, and that's tough,” Gloria says. “But you have to do it. You have to learn to live like this. That's all there is to it.”
Mark says Gloria’s perseverance and courage inspires him.
“She’s faced a lot of medical adversity and other adversity as well,” Mark says. “But she keeps pushing, taking it a day at a time.”
Gloria says she tries to live life with a positive attitude. And when she does need help, she knows where to go.
“It’s hard to be strong, but you have to be,” she says. “And I think most people that are living at home alone should belong to a program like Living-at-Home. It is helpful.”
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means having a strong support system.
Learn more about how UPMC Living-at-Home Program provides care coordination for older adults.
Working in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and a wide range of community organizations, we are committed to improving the health of the communities we serve.
Life Changing Medicine at UPMC is made possible every day through the generosity of numerous individuals, corporations and foundations.
With volunteers ranging from teens to seniors and options involving office work or patient care, there's a place for all qualifying volunteers at nearly two dozen UPMC hospitals.
