Delco’s Mercy LIFE: A World of Difference in Senior Care

Answers for a caregiver’s frequently asked questions

The decision to seek assistance with caring for an elderly loved one is a choice rife with emotion, including guilt. When exploring senior care options, the multitude of choices can become overwhelming and confusing. You will likely have many questions. How do I know if an adult day center is the right choice for my loved one? Will my loved one transition smoothly? Will he or she receive personalized care for his/her unique medical needs?

Mercy LIFE, an all-inclusive adult day program, helps seniors maintain their independence so they can remain living in their homes or with family, and have access to a variety of services to keep them active and engaged in the community. Here are the questions Mercy LIFE’s staff answer for caregivers most often.

How do I know if an adult day center is the right choice for my loved one?

If your loved one is 55 or older and has the desire to remain living in his or her own home, but wants easy access to medical, social, nutritional, and spiritual services, he or she may be a great fit for Mercy LIFE. Trained Mercy LIFE staff transport each participant to and from the Mercy LIFE day center of his choice, one of four available to Delco residents. If a loved one needs assistance getting ready for the day center, Mercy LIFE staff members are available to help the participant dress.

When the participant  arrives at a Mercy LIFE day center, participants have access to physicians, nurses and physical therapists, and receive the right medications for their needs – all under one roof. Should a participant need to travel to an outside appointment, Mercy LIFE staff can provide transportation.

How does Mercy LIFE differ from other senior care offerings?

Mercy LIFE’s model of compassionate, quality care focuses on treating the whole senior – body, mind and spirit. The skilled interdisciplinary care team works together 24/7 to meet each patient’s unique needs. No more waiting for an appointment at the doctor’s office or making a special trip to the pharmacy for medications. Mercy LIFE provides peace of mind that the person for whom you are caring is receiving the quality care he or she needs.

Will my loved one receive personalized care for his or her unique needs?

Personalized attention extends beyond medical care at Mercy LIFE to include social activities, including providing nutritious meals. Our staff pays special attention to the activities and food each participant enjoys – incorporating special requests into the centers’ offerings to make each participant’s experience at Mercy LIFE enjoyable and fun.

In addition, staff assists each senior in monitoring and adjusting his or her diet to cater to restrictions. For example, a participant living with diabetes can receive special training on how to prepare favorite foods such as mac and cheese more healthfully. Mercy LIFE even offers cooking classes to make learning about healthy cuisine fun and engaging.

Will my loved one transition into the program smoothly?

Seniors and their caregivers are often concerned about maintaining independence and quality of life. Mercy LIFE is designed to keep participants living safely and independently in their own community, while providing an outlet for seniors to access healthcare and connect with friends and peers. Social interaction is crucial to keep seniors active, alert and engaged.

Mercy LIFE’s recreation therapists organize more than 400 activities per month, taking special care to plan games, crafts and activities that appeal to each participant on an individual level. Some of these activities include pet therapy, drum circles, poker tournaments, yoga, cooking classes and garden club. Produce and “dollar store” vendors visit the center on a regular basis to sell necessities to participants on-site at discounted rates. Mercy LIFE’s staff also plans off-site field trips and hosts special events throughout the year such as carnivals, luaus and proms.

My loved one only speaks Spanish. Can he or she still attend Mercy LIFE?

Absolutely. At Mercy LIFE, we cultivate an atmosphere of inclusion, incorporating food, activities and events specific to each participant’s culture to make all seniors feel welcome. Bi-lingual staff members across all areas of care cater to more than 100 Spanish-speaking participants at Mercy LIFE.

Where can I get more information?

For additional questions not answered here, please call 215-339-4747. Mercy LIFE staff and coordinators would be happy to answer questions or schedule a free and convenient tour.

Who is Mercy LIFE?

Mercy LIFE is a member of the Mercy Health System. Mercy Health System is the largest Catholic healthcare system serving the Delaware Valley and is comprised of more than 6,000 caring, highly skilled employees focused on creating an outstanding patient-care experience.

Since May 2013, Mercy LIFE has been available to seniors living in Delaware County, including Darby, Chester, Yeadon, Prospect Park, Wallingford, Woodlyn, Lansdowne, Sharon Hill, Garnet Valley, and Ridley Park (specific zip codes include 19013, 19014, 19015, 19018, 19022, 19023, 19032, 19033, 19036, 19050, 19060, 19061, 19074, 19076, 19078, 19081, 19079, and 19094).

To schedule a tour of one of three Mercy LIFE Day Centers, call us at 215-339-4747 or visit www.mercylife.org/virtualtour.