SSSEVA Gets Boost From Dominion Energy to Help Seniors Transition From Hospital to Home

Thanks to Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia (SSSEVA) will be able to better serve seniors this year through its Care Transitions program, which educates and empowers seniors to manage their health conditions after hospital discharge. The agency is just one of more than 200 nonprofit organizations awarded a critical community needs grant from the foundation to help feed, shelter, and care for people in need.

“Each year, we look at ways to support charitable organizations that work day-in and day-out to make a positive impact in our communities,” said Max Bartholomew, regional director at Dominion Energy. “These grants will help provide the food, shelter, and medical care needed by many for a better life.”

This year, $1.6 million will be shared, providing essential human services in 12 states. This is the fourth year the foundation has awarded more than $1 million to meet critical community needs.

“We are excited for how this grant will help us in serving recently hospitalized seniors with chronic health conditions as they transition out of the hospital to their homes,” said Brad Lazernick, director for the Center for Aging at SSSEVA.

The program has already been a godsend for seniors such as 72-year-old Diana Kupko, who first benefitted in 2016 after a hospital stay for her COPD and then again last summer after treatment for another health challenge.

“The program’s goal is to reduce avoidable readmissions that are so disruptive to the seniors’ lives,” Lazernick added.

Recently, Kupko detected a spot on her leg and immediately made a doctor’s appointment, utilizing the skills she learned through Care Transitions. Because of her quick action, leading to early detection of skin cancer, Kupko is able to avoid the hospital treatment.

“She’s really put into practice a lot of what we’ve talked about,” commented Katie Hopkin, her Care Transitions coach.

The grant funding from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation will contribute to the hiring and pay for a Care Transitions coach to work with patients at the hospitals. The program is also supported through the Sentara Foundation and a Cardinal Foundation grant for another year.

About Senior Services

Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia is the regional not-for-profit organization that helps seniors and adults with disabilities live with choice and dignity in their communities. Its headquarters and satellite offices assist citizens in the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, and in Isle of Wight and Southampton counties. Programs and services include case management, in-home care, Meals on Wheels and meals at senior center wellness and nutrition sites, Care Transitions, wellness classes, I-Ride transportation, Medicare benefits counseling and more. In 2018, more than 10,000 people throughout the Southeastern Virginia region were served. To learn more about Senior Services, please call 757-461-9481, connect with us on Facebook or Twitter, or visit ssseva.org.

About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

Nearly 7.5 million customers in 18 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed nearly $35 million in 2018 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more.