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Your Gifts at Work in Our Community

August 21, 2006

A 75 year old man who resides in Harriman who needed assistance with his prescription drug costs. He had no assistance and was paying approximately $285.00 per month on prescription medications.

Through the Office on Aging, this gentleman applied for "extra help" through the Social Security Administration. He was awarded full subsidy assistance to pay for the cost of his Medicare Part D premiums, a savings of approximately $389.00 per year. Office on Aging staff researched via www.Medicare.gov the various plans available in this consumer’s service area, and assisted him in making a Medicare Part D choice. Since February his monthly drug co-payments have been reduced significantly to approximately $21.00 per month.

A 66 year old male who resides in Rockwood who suffers with numerous health conditions from an automobile accident several years ago. This individual has been on the home delivered meals program for 5 years. The meals are helping him to maintain independence in his own home, as well as contributing to his nutritional health. Additionally, the staff of the Senior Nutrition program helped this individual to obtain much needed furniture for his apartment, assist him at times of financial distress with food, as well as obtain his necessary medications from the pharmacy if he has no other means of transportation.

Jason Atkins has a cognitive disability. It was always assumed he wouldn't be able to work at a regular job. Jason is making an emphatic statement that those assumptions are wrong, and debunking the myth that persons with a developmental disability are unemployable.

Jason is supported by the Michael Dunn Center in Kingston, which is supported by the United Way of Roane County. Dunn Diversified Industries (DDI), a non-profit corporation and division of the Michael Dunn Center, provides employment opportunities for people with and without disabilities. DDI arranged a job for Jason whom has turned into a major success for everyone involved. Jason works with Capstan Tennessee Inc. a company that manufactures precision metal parts for heavy equipment. His job is to load, deliver and unload for the company.

Jason doesn't speak, but is very happy in his job. The DDI staff have been amazed at his focus, and the work has tempered an excitable personality.

"Jason is a different person," said DDI General Manager Melanie Harmon. "The job has given him a sense of purpose and provided a daily structure. He has tremendous drive and works extremely hard. Everyone at DDI is very proud of him."

Jason's performance hasn't gone unnoticed by his co-workers. Capstan employee Stephanie Spears says she represents the entire company when she talks about Jason.

"Jason was quick to catch on with the way we do things," said Spears. "We gave him directions a couple of times and then he was off and running. He's very independent and doesn't make mistakes."

Supporting persons in employment is a powerful way to create a sense of worth and community belonging for people with disabilities. The Michael Dunn Center has a long history of helping people with disabilities explore and develop employment opportunities. The agency has one of the highest rates in the state of finding adults employment in the community.

"The Michael Dunn Center has done a wonderful job in providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities," said Director of Day Services Sally Wilkerson. "Thanks to the Michael Dunn Center and DDI, Jason's story is one of many examples of what can happen when individuals are offered choices and opportunity. They become part of the community and improve on all facets of life."

Several Roane County residents were impacted by the many TennCare changes that took place last year. One of Ridgeview’s Roane County clients lost his TennCare coverage when he was disenrolled from the program. Because of his limited income, he was no longer able to pay for the psychiatric medications being prescribed for him.

"When he takes his medication he is stable and leads a productive life. When he is unable to have the medication he needs, he becomes clinically depressed and begins to think about suicide. Several times his depression has become so serious that he has been hospitalized to save his life," according to Sandra Sweger, R.N, Ridgeview’s lead aftercare nurse, in Roane County.

The funding Ridgeview receives from United Way of Roane County supports Ridgeview’s Indigent Medication Program. This program provides support to individuals who require medication for their psychiatric condition and have no other source of coverage to pay for the medicines. Through the medication samples Ridgeview could provide and the funds from the Indigent Medication Program, the Roane County client is doing well.

To be eligible for the Indigent Medication Program, an individual must have limited income. Medications are then prescribed by Ridgeview medical staff and purchased by the client at participating pharmacies in their local community for a nominal fee. For most participants this means their symptoms are reduced and they avoid hospitalization.

Individuals continue in the program until other financial arrangements are made or coverage is in force. Generally, they may be eligible for TennCare or other types of pharmaceutical assistance programs that Ridgeview’s case management services assist them in obtaining. Without this program, individuals like the one described above would go without medicines and could require treatment in a psychiatric hospital.

Ridgeview has been providing mental health services for over 49 years. Staff in twenty-two facilities in Roane, Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, and Scott counties serve over 7,000 clients of all ages, annually. The administrative offices are located in Oak Ridge, at 240 W. Tyrone Road, which also houses an adult inpatient psychiatric hospital and outpatient treatment services. Services in Roane County are located at 221 Devonia Street, in Harriman.

Ridgeview is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) and maintains the highest standards in providing mental health services. For additional information about Ridgeview’s services, phone 800-834-4178.