Phoebe Ministries’ dedication to their mission and resident care was highlighted in WFMZ’s article and video titled “Funding Problems Loom for Local Nursing Homes”. President and CEO Scott Stevenson was interviewed, discussing the decrease in governmental reimbursement of Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the increase of Phoebe’s charitable care levels to make up for it. View the article and video HERE
Pamela Getz, Pharmacist at Phoebe Services Pharmacy, had a traumatic experience on January 22, 2013 which was quickly identified by her co-workers. Their quick responses and identification significantly improved the outcome for Pamela. The Phoebe Services Pharmacy employees who work with Pamela noticed the subtle, early warning signs of a stroke using the FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time), and got help for her as soon as possible. The Neurology team at Lehigh Valley Health Network initiated stroke protocol, leaving Pamela with virtually no long-term side effects. View Pamela’s story in this video.
Allentown, PA - Margaret Teitsworth, resident of The Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, was one of only 15 recipients recognized with the 2013 The Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services Unsung Hero award. Offered annually in Lehigh County during National Older Americans Month, the award pays tribute to people over 60 who display exceptional generosity with their time and talent to enhance the lives of others.
Teitsworth, 91, received the award for her work as an Abider Volunteer at Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center. As an Abider she provides a spiritual presence to persons who are identified as "actively dying" during the last days and hours of their earthly lives.
When she completed the Abider’s training in 2000, Teitsworth said she had been looking for a service opportunity in which she could utilize her years of experience as a psychiatric nurse, hospice nurse and minister’s wife. “Becoming an Abider seemed like a natural step for me,” Margaret commented, “and to me, it isn’t depressing. Psychiatric nursing had been a wonderful challenge, and 16 years as a hospice nurse had been very gratifying. When we volunteer, we receive so much more than we can ever give.”
“Thirteen years later, Margaret continues to be our go to person who we call when a resident is nearing death,” says Phoebe Allentown Chaplain, Rev. Corrine Dautrich. “Margaret often stops what she is doing so that she can walk across the street to the Health Care Center to be with a resident despite weather conditions.”
Margaret is faithful about a daily visit to that person until they pass. Not only does she abide with residents and talk with the family members who may come to visit their loved ones, but she also attends the bi-monthly memorial service that honors those residents who have recently died.
“If there are no family members in attendance, she will come forward and light a candle for that person for whom she has abided. Through the years, many families have commented about how special her ministry has been to them at their time of loss,” adds Dautrich.
Part of the joy of being an Abider is seeing the spirit set free, according to Margaret. “When the spirit leaves the body, we are no longer limited by the body. A lot of people wouldn’t find joy in that,” she says, “but I am older, and my hospice experience helps. An Abider should be someone who can appreciate the joy of easing another person’s way into eternal life – someone who believes that we can trust God.”
This year, the award ceremony took place at the Lehigh County Government Center on Wednesday, May 15. The certificates were presented by Scott Ott, Vice Chairman, Lehigh County Board of Commissioners and Michael Schware, County Commissioner.
Allentown, PA- On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, Kelly O'Shea Carney, Executive Director of the Phoebe Center for Excellence in Dementia Care was featured in an informational article titled, "Responding to a Dementia Diagnosis". Carney focuses on the new guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease pointing out the most notable change in the guidelines, early identification of the disease. Carney discusses the past, present and future of identifying and dealing with Alzheimer's in this article, along with vital prevention and treatment methods and what Phoebe Ministries provides in terms of Alzheimer's care and support.
To view Responding to a Dementia Diagnosis in The Morning Call, CLICK HERE.
Phoebe does not discriminate in admissions, the provision of services, or referrals of clients on the basis of race,
color, religious creed, disability, marital status, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or gender.
Allentown, PA - Margaret Teitsworth, resident of The Terrace at Phoebe Allentown, was one of only 15 recipients recognized with the 2013 The Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services Unsung Hero award. Offered annually in Lehigh County during National Older Americans Month, the award pays tribute to people over 60 who display exceptional generosity with their time and talent to enhance the lives of others.
