First a Senior Medical Clinic. Now Senior Suites in the hospital. St. Joseph Medical Center makes strides as senior care specialist

St. Joseph Creates Senior Suites in Hospital

By Kathy Feist

In June, St. Joseph Medical Center introduced Sister Margaret’s Senior Medical Clinic with a ribbon cutting ceremony. On October 24, it will again celebrate with a ribbon cutting but this time in the hospital.

St. Joseph Medical Center is introducing the city’s first comprehensive senior friendly inpatient unit called Senior Suites at St. Joseph Medical Center.

The specialized unit will feature private, spacious rooms with state of the art accommodations for loved ones who wish to visit, including a pull down Murphy bed with a tempurpedic mattress.  

Additionally, an indoor walking track will be featured for patients to remain as active as possible during their hospitalization.

The Senior Suites will be managed by a geriatric certified nurse. A geriatrician specialist will oversee care of the patient along with the patient’s hospital physician(s). Finally a geriatric certified pharmacist will consult with the patient to ensure understanding of medical changes.

“Usually 30 to 60 percent of older patients experience functional decline when they are hospitalized,” explains Anne Xenos, senior care services manager. “We want older adults coming to St. Joseph leaving here feeling stronger.”

The Senior Suites is another addition to the hospital’s focus on providing specialized care to older adults living in the Kansas City area.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. with presentations by the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served.

Flu Shots

Sister Margaret’s Senior Clinic, 1010 Carondolet Dr.,  will be administering free flu shots for seniors on Wednesday, October 25, from 10 a.m to noon. Call 816-943-5755 to reserve your shot.

In addition, the KCMO Health Department is offering flu vaccinations for adults and children at its headquarters at 2400 Troost from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.

The department will bill Medicare or Medicaid on behalf of those who provide proof of coverage and will also accept private insurance.  All others will be charged $30 per shot or $55 for the high-dose formula available to seniors 65 and over.

Non-city residents are charged an additional $10.  Only cash or credit cards will be accepted for payment.

Positively Pink Party

The Breast Center at St. Joseph Medical Center is hosting a free Positively Pink Party to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Themed snacks, refreshments, massages, boutique shopping and more will be at the Alex George Auditorium from 5 to 7 p.m on Thursday, October 19. Participants can also talk with a breast cancer specialist about the latest in detection and treatment of breast cancer. Call 816-942-4400 to reserve.