By Mary Parish Gavinski, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Community Care

I became Community Care’s chief medical officer in 1988 because I truly believe in the mission. At Community Care, there is the opportunity to give the health care and long term care services older adults or adults with disabilities need to live as independently as possible, to be able to live in their own homes, and within their own communities. Why is that important? Because, first and foremost, it is what they want most. It is also good for them.

The primary reason people give for coming into our program is because they want to live at home and to continue to be a vital member of their community. When older people or adults with disabilities have to move to an institutional setting, they experience loss. No matter how nice it is, when one moves into a congregational setting, compromises are made. Mealtimes are set and activities coordinated. What is often lost is their independence.

On the other hand, when a person receives the support needed to be able to live in the community and with family members, they get the one-on-one attention that only a close relation can give. While one’s substitute care may be excellent, the same bond is rarely if ever there. And for the majority of people, they actually experience a higher level of care with family than in any other setting. Community Care offers many programs that provide the services and integrated care persons with disabilities and elders need to remain in the community. It is only through this integrated care and case management that persons with complex needs can remain in the community and still get the care that they need.

This year we are in the midst of a major expansion into southeastern Wisconsin. With that expansion, we intend to enable more people to remain in their own homes and communities. We are thrilled to be able to bring this wonderful model of care to more people, helping them to achieve their wish to live independently.