December 2011
Do You Know how to Navigate Senior Care Options?
Let Provena help find the best path for you or a loved one!
Helping others (or yourself) through the aging process can be difficult – with so many healthcare services and
senior living options available to individuals today, it can all seem overwhelming. But it’s important to not let
those feelings of anxiety prevent you from helping the older adults in your life.
Whether you’re looking for tools to help you maintain your independence (like Lifeline and medication
dispensers), rehabilitative therapy to get you back on your feet or a more permanent helping hand, Provena
has the care, services and support you need. The trusted advisors at Provena Life Connections ministries
make it their top priority to help you understand the many options available to you and your loved ones.
It’s important to remember that you aren’t travelling this road alone – your physician can help outline the
proper plan of care, and the Provena hospital in your area has navigators on staff who will direct you to the
right service at the right time.
You can learn more about the Provena services available in your community by visiting
www.provena.org/lifeconnections/locations.
Doctor’s Dose—Dr. Raja Kolla
Q & A with Dr. Raja Kolla, M.D.
Dr. Raja Kolla, M.D., is a family practice physician with the Provena Medical
Group and has offices in both Kankakee and Peotone. Dr. Kolla will discuss the
importance of good preventative care for older adults.
Q. In your profession, do you find that older adults take their health
seriously?
.
A. Generally speaking, I find that older adults take their health seriously.
However, I do see that their financial situation often determines the amount
of care they seek out.
Q. What are some signs that older adults should visit a primary care
physician for a check-up, even if they have one scheduled for months from
now?
A. Some of the signs that family members should watch for include weight
loss, chest pain, unusual shortness of breath, urinary and bowel trouble and any atypical skin lesions.
Q. What are some of the health risks that older adults may face if they don’t practice good preventative
health?
A. Without regular screenings, serious health conditions like various forms of cancer, coronary artery
disease, bone density loss and diabetes can go undetected and continue to develop into more advanced (and
serious) stages.
Q. What are some tests that older adults can expect on their first (and follow-up) visits to your office?
A. We’ll first run some lab work to check their kidney and liver function, cholesterol levels, blood pressure
screening and a weight check. All screenings are done on a risk/benefit basis and will only be ordered if they
benefit the patient. It’s also important for the physician to have a baseline function and medical directives for
future use in the event that they are needed should a critical situation arise.
Learn more about Dr. Kolla
at www.provena.org/stmarys!
Provena Life Connections
Give the Gift of Safety & Security this Holiday Season
Free Activation for Lifeline!
Now through December 31, 2011, you or a loved one can receive free
activation when you sign up for Lifeline through Provena—that’s a $50
savings!
With a variety of discreet options for wearing as well as two products
(Lifeline and Lifeline with AutoAlert) to choose from, it’s never been more
convenient (or affordable!) to provide your loved one with an extra layer of
security in the event of an accident.
Even more, Provena offers the lowest ongoing monthly rate for basic Lifeline
services, starting at just $28/month. You can request Lifeline services
online at www.provena.org/lifeconnections/lifeline or by calling (866) 612-1700.
Watch a video on Lifeline with Auto Alert services to learn more about this exciting product!
Calculate Daily Calorie Needs
Manage your weight in the new year
Whether you’re reading this during the height of the holiday party season or after the rush of Christmas and New
Year’s celebrations has passed, knowing how many calories you need to consume each day in order to maintain a
healthy body can help you make wise food choices today and into 2012!
Provena offers individuals a variety of useful online tools that not only help you determine how many calories you
need but also how many calories you burn during your workouts, exercise routines that will help you reach your
target heart rate and more.
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re looking to make a fresh start in 2012 or trying to get through the last
few weeks of 2011 without having a few extra pounds as your Christmas gifts, take advantage of the free resources
available to you on the Provena Web site.
Calculate your caloric needs today at www.provena.org/caloriecalculator!
Stay informed about our Hot Happenings by signing up to receive our
e-newsletter and “like” us on Facebook today!
www.provena.org/lifeconnections & www.facebook.com/ProvenaLifeConnections
About Provena Life Connections
Rehab & Skilled Nursing
Provena Sacred Heart Assisted Living
Hospice
Provena Cor Mariae Center
Provena St. Francis Place
Provena Hospice, Elgin
Provena Heritage Village
Morning Star Village *
Provena Hospice, Champaign
Provena McAuley Manor
Siena on Brendenwood *
CLF/SLA
Provena Our Lady of Victory
The Greens of Elgin *
Provena St. Vincent
Provena Pine View Care Center
Home Care
Pharmacy
Provena Sacred Heart Home
Provena Home Care, Champaign
Provena Life Connections Pharmacy
Provena St. Anne Center
Provena Home Care, Elgin
Corporate
Provena St. Joseph Center
Provena Home Care, Gurnee
Provena Life Connections, Mokena
Provena Villa Franciscan
Provena Home Care, Joliet
Provena Life Connections, Frankfort
St. Joseph Nursing Home *
Provena Home Care, Bourbonnais
Provena Life Connections, Rockford
Independent & Assisted Living
— Frankfort and Gilman satellites
Provena Cor Mariae Center
Day Care Centers
Provena Fox Knoll
Provena St. Joseph Adult Day Center
Provena Heritage Estates
Provena St. Mary’s Adult Day Center
Find a Location Near You
Provena Heritage Lodge
Provena Fortin Villa Learning Center
www.provena.org/lifeconnections
* Managed Ministries
Provena LaVerna Terrace
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Values
Provena Health, a Catholic health
system, builds communities of healing
and hope by compassionately
responding to human need of the
spirit of Jesus Christ.
Provena Life Connections is the
preferred peri-acute constellation in
each of our communities enhancing
lives by connecting each person to
the right service at the right time.
Building on the faith and heritage of
our founding religious congregations,
we commit ourselves to these values
that flow from our mission and our
identity as a Catholic healthcare
Ministry—Respect, Integrity,
Stewardship and Excellence.
2011 Board of Directors
Nancy T. Dowd
James C. Hagen
Connie S. March (President/CEO)
Phyllis Nichols
Terry Solem
Florida Freeman
Theresa Kwiatkowski
Sister Marie Mason
Tim Phillippe (Chair)
Dennis Sonnenberg (Treasurer)
Patricia Gomez
Cheryl L. Lowney (Secretary)
Sallie Miller (Vice Chair)
Thomas E. Smith