This holiday season there will be many stories of feeding and clothing those in need as Kansas City unites to show their generosity and goodwill. But one Kansas City home health organization is focusing on the next 11 months – finding new ways to serve the disabled, elderly and homebound long after others go home.
Kansas City, Kansas-based The Dream Works has been serving the underserved with residential home health services since 1997. Recent declines in state Medicaid budgets have hampered the entire home health services community to the point that basic needs aren’t being met.
“There are basic service needs that are going unmet in our community,” said Ed McInnis, The Dream Works president/CEO. “We appreciate the attention giving at the holidays but for the next 11 months many of our citizens will go without the basics in life.” State aid cuts and other economic declines in giving and support have motivated McInnis and his staff to find new, creative ways to serve the population most in need.
Everyday Personal & Home Supplies
“When you or I need a box of tissues, cleaning supplies or necessary medical equipment, we go get it – or a family member pitches in to get what we need,” says McInnis. “For the population we serve, there might not be anybody to help.”
The Dream Works developed two new programs that hope to meet these simple needs with ease and convenience for the homebound individual. Home health service agencies typically do not venture into delivery of home goods but for The Dream Works, it was a need that they could not ignore. Individuals can easily order the most frequently needed personal and home items, including medical equipment right from their home and The Dream Works will deliver it.
Nurturing Neighbors
The Dream Works staff and employees alone cannot fill all the needs of the population they serve. For the disabled or aging still residing in their own homes, common chores like leaf raking and home repairs become insurmountable challenges. It takes caring neighbors and friends to help the frail, aging and disabled communities.
The Dream Works developed Nurturing Neighbors, a program that matches volunteer groups with individuals and projects in the community. Any social, civic or business organization can sign-up with The Dream Works to participate in the Nurturing Neighbors effort. After orientation and training, the group is assigned an appropriate project in the community they serve.
“Nurturing Neighbors is a 12-month program of service and aid,” says McInnis. “We hope to gain momentum during the holidays but really need to keep groups and individuals engaged in serving the under-served all year long.”
Tremendous uncertainty still revolves around Medicaid reimbursement and the ability of care providers to maintain service levels. For The Dream Works, waiting is not an option. More programs and aid efforts are under development – during the holidays and throughout the year.
The Dream Works, Inc.
The Dream Works is a comprehensive home health and social service agency serving Kansas and Missouri. Their primary purpose is to help individuals in the aging and disability communities maintain a rewarding lifestyle in an environment of their choosing, while reducing the burden on family and friends.
The Dream Works is locally owned and operated in the Kansas City metropolitan area and offers residential services, service coordination, specialty services, and medical supplies and equipment with fast, free delivery on most items. They are passionate about giving back to the community. Every dollar spent with The Dream Works helps another person add quality and choice to their life. For more information, visit www.TheDreamWorksinc.com.