Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco Connects with Home Care

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (05/25/2007)(readMedia)-- Assembly Minority Leader James N. Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady-Saratoga), today visited the residence of home care recipient Mary Joan Mattoon to see first-hand the value of home care for his constituents and all New Yorkers.

Mrs. Mattoon has been receiving home care services from Home Health Care Partners for over a year which has allowed her to continue living at home with her husband rather than at a skilled nursing facility. A home health aide visits Mrs. Mattoon daily to provide personal hands-on care services such as dressing, bathing and assisting with an exercise program. Mrs. Mattoon is wheelchair bound, and needs help with many tasks during the day. With the help of her husband and the homecare aide, she is able to live comfortably at home.

“Home and community-based care helps keep patients like Mrs. Mattoon in comfortable, familiar surroundings close to her loved ones, and at a cost that is relatively affordable,” said Tedisco. “It’s important that government continue to support home care services, especially as the population continues to live longer and prefers to stay at home as long as possible.”

Providing cost-efficient and quality health care is a major concern for many New Yorkers, which is why Leader Tedisco took advantage of “Home Care Connect,” a home care visitation program sponsored by the New York State Association of Health Care Providers, Inc. (HCP). Home Care Connect provides State and Federal Legislators the opportunity to observe the benefits of home and community-based care in action.

Jackie Marcelle, Executive Director, Home Health Care Partners said, “The home care community appreciates Leader Tedisco taking the time to see the many benefits of home care. Thanks to home care and support by Legislators like Jim Tedisco, thousands of people across New York have the opportunity to reside at home and still receive care and assistance from trained professionals.”

“Home care is not only cost-efficient, but it’s what patients want. They have a better quality of life when they are able to stay home and live independently,” said Phyllis Wang, HCP President. “With the State’s health care system undergoing a transformation to a patient-centered system, the continued support of Leader Tedisco is appreciated in order to expand access to home care services.”

-30-

HCP is a statewide trade association representing the full spectrum of home care and hospice agencies in New York.

High-resolution photos available upon request

Posted Friday May 25, 2007 at 03:06 pm by New York State Association of Health Care Providers