Heartland Independent Living Center receives $11,300 from United Way

Heartland Independent Living Center received $11,300 from the Franklin County Area United Way to help serve individuals with disabilities throughout Franklin, Maries and Gasconade counties. This is an increase from what Heartland was allocated last year. The funds will go to support Heartland's mission which is to create accessibility for all. Heartland seeks to empower people with disabilities by helping them to live independently with dignity and Security.

For the full news release written by the Missourian follow the link.

United Way to Allocate to $900,000 to 54 Agencies and Programs



*Heartland is a non-profit, non-residential, community based 501(c)(3) organization. 

Heartland October-December 2014 Newsletter

2014 has been another extremely busy and productive year for Heartland Independent Living Center and HILC In-Home Care. I’ll have a summary of the goals we accomplished in the next newsletter, but at this time I’d like to make you aware of a major state-required change coming for everyone involved in the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program.

Telephony, a relatively new method of recording the attendance and tasks of all Personal Care Attendants (PCA’s), must be implemented by all agencies contracted with the Department of Health and Senior Services no later than July 1, 2015. Heartland’s Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program, and our HILC In-Home Care program, are both DHSS vendor programs. 

In very general terms, Telephony is an electronic method of tracking when an attendant or aide reports to their worksite, the tasks they perform while working, and then the time they leave the worksite. This is accomplished with phone calls made by the attendant and consumer. Data is collected through codes entered during each call by the attendant and consumer. Telephone calls go directly to the computer system and are not answered by an actual person.

The Telephony program is intended to replace paper time sheets which have been the means of tracking employee activity since these programs began. Long standing concerns related to possible Medicaid fraud is the primary reason Telephony is replacing paper time sheets, but there are situations where paper time sheets may still be accepted after July 1. Those situations will be reviewed and considered on a case by case basis.

Heartland will begin installing our Telephone equipment right after the first of the year. Phone lines and toll-free numbers are being ordered specifically for this program. Our staff will be trained so they can begin training their consumers. We expect to begin using Telephony on a limited basis in January or early February.

Pat Chambers

Executive Director

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The Care of a Loved One

Carol Heidbrier takes care of her mother, 99-year-old June Rehmert. After a fire destroyed her home, she and her husband rebuilt with the mindset of moving June in with them. Eventually Carol realized she needed support and approached Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) to assist with her mother’s care.

June lives with a series of health conditions; including, dementia, bladder incontinence, hearing loss, congestive heart failure, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which require she live with 24-hour care. HILC’s In-Home program helps Carol care for June with four-day-a-week aides who come into the home. The aides assist by cleaning, bathing, and sometimes just socializing with the person to give family members some much needed rest.

“There are a lot of individuals in her situation,” HILC In-Home Coordinator Sandi Johnson said. “Families are unaware of the services out there to avoid nursing homes. This is better than assisted living facilities because they get to live in the home with family members.” June is often times restless throughout the night and that affects Carol, who must get up to care for her mother.

“You know I think the most difficult thing for me is probably the nights,” Carol says. “The lack of rest for me because you know she gets up to go to the bathroom two or three times a night. … But I try to get my sleep in. Sometimes if I try to take a nap during the day it’s kind of difficult. I’m sitting in there in a chair and she doesn't want me to sleep. She wants to talk to me.”

The overwhelming stress 24/7 care puts on families is something Heartland hopes to alleviate by expanding to overnight respite care. 

“It’s a constant worry about whether they are doing enough for them,” Johnson said. “They’re working 24/7 essentially. It can be very tiring and patience can wear quickly, even though they love them. Having someone there (overnight) would allow her daughter to get some rest, while she knows her mom is being cared for.”

Carol is in a constant juggling act of caring for her mother, caring for herself, and completing her own work. 

“Of course I have my own housework to do,” Carol says. “Sometimes if I’m raking outside I have to tell her where I’m going. If she can see me she can watch me from the window. But in the

summertime, I can take her outside. If I’m working in the garden, I take her outside and let her sit on the porch. I put a straw hat on her so she can watch me wherever I’m at, because you can’t leave her alone for very long periods of time because you don’t know what she is going to do.” 

Heartland’s aides relieve Carol, giving June company and allowing Carol an opportunity to work or run errands.

“People like Mrs. June are what makes me love my job,” said Kyla Tungate, one of June’s HILC’s In -Home aides. “She makes it all worth it, and there’s no better feeling in the world than knowing that I made a difference in her life, as well as others. I strive to make every day an enjoyable and memorable one. Through the rough times in my life I've learned that you never know when one day may be someone’s last, so you've got to make every day count.”

Carol does what she does because she always has. Her mother is not the first person she has cared for when their health declined. Though her mother is deserving of all the care she can give, Carol says. “I love my mom very much and I know here she has the family environment,” Carol says. 

“You see, my dad died when she was 39-years-old and she lived alone for a long time. She never got remarried. From that point on she was the family provider and care giver for the children. My youngest sister wasn't even a year old at the time. She has been a wonderful, wonderful mother and she’s been a caring mother. She’s carried a heavy load and personally I feel that she needs the same love and care that she gave her family. I really do.” 

Carol knows that as time progresses her mother’s needs are going to change and it could become harder to care for her. 

“Sometimes it gets difficult and you get tired,” Carol says. “Which I am today – I’m tired. It really helps to have the girls (from HILC) come in. As time goes on I know I’m going to need more things to take care of her and make it easier. It’s going to get harder. I think at the rate she’s going she may outlive me. Maybe I shouldn't have said that, but sometimes I feel that way.”

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2015 Holiday Schedule

for Heartland Independent Living Center

Heartland’s business offices will not be open on these dates:

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Show-Me Employment Project

Do you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) OR Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits? Are you worried about losing your Medicare or Medicaid? Do you want personalized employment planning assistance? Are you confused about the rules and regulations of the benefits you currently receive? 

If you answered YES to the above questions, then please contact the Show Me Employment Project. Their Certified Work Incentive Coordinators can assist you in gaining a better understanding of your benefit options with regards to employment. 

These Specialists explain the effects of wages and earnings on monthly SSI/SSDI payments. They explain any Social Security work incentives that permit beneficiaries to remain eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, and cash benefits while testing their ability to work. 

Specialists are available to answer questions from the general public, community based organizations and state agencies about Social Security programs that support employment.

Any recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability (SSDI) living within the Show Me Employment Project Service area is eligible. If you live in Gasconade, Franklin or other counties surrounding St. Louis, your Certified Work Incentives Coordinator is Evelyn Austin. She can be reached at (314) 357-4212 or at cwic_eaustin@paraquad.org. Individuals living in Maries, Osage, Cole, Crawford, Phelps, Pulaski and other central Missouri counties should contact Maria DeBord, Her phone number is (573) 263-1760. You can reach by email at cwic_mdebord@paraquad.org. 

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Best Wishes for a Great New Year

The Heartland Independent Living Center staff wants to wish our consumers and community partners a happy and healthy 2015. Here’s a photo of who are behind the voices when you call our main office in Owensville and our Christopher Manhart office in Union.

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Couponing Class is Coming Soon!

Heartland is in the process of planning several fun and informative new activities for our consumers in 2015. One of these events is a couponing class that we did three years ago.


Everyone’s budget can use a helping hand these days, and coupons are a great way to make your food shopping dollars go farther! A Heartland staff member who just started using coupons and price matching a couple of months ago said she is saving more than $200 a month on her family’s grocery bill!

We are just starting to plan for what we hope will be a class that will be offered on multiple occasions. We’ll announce the class on our website, Facebook page, and other social media as soon as the plans are completed. 

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The Care of a Loved One

Carol Heidbrier takes care of her mother, 98-year-old June Rehmert. After a fire destroyed her home, she and her husband rebuilt with the mindset of moving June in with them. Eventually Carol realized she needed support and approached Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) to assist with her mother’s care.

June lives with a series of health conditions; including, dementia, bladder incontinence, hearing loss, congestive heart failure, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), which require she live with 24-hour care. HILC’s In-Home program helps Carol care for June with four-day-a-week aides who come into the home. The aides assist by cleaning, bathing, and sometimes just socializing with the person to give family members some much needed rest.

“There are a lot of individuals in her situation,” HILC In-Home Coordinator Sandi Johnson said. “Families are unaware of the services out there to avoid nursing homes. This is better than assisted living facilities because they get to live in the home with family members.”

June is often times restless throughout the night and that affects Carol, who must get up to care for her mother.

“You know I think the most difficult thing for me is probably the nights,” Carol says. “The lack of rest for me because you know she gets up to go to the bathroom two or three times a night. … But I try to get my sleep in. Sometimes if I try to take a nap during the day it’s kind of difficult. I’m sitting in there in a chair and she doesn’t want me to sleep. She wants to talk to me.”

The overwhelming stress 24/7 care puts on families is something Heartland hopes to alleviate by expanding to overnight respite care.

“It’s a constant worry about whether they are doing enough for them,” Johnson said. “They’re working 24/7 essentially. It can be very tiring and patience can wear quickly, even though they love them. Having someone there (overnight) would allow her daughter to get some rest, while she knows her mom is being cared for.”

Carol sits in her mother’s wheelchair and discusses the grocery list with

 her mom. She goes through each ad asking her mother what she wants 

to eat.

Carol is in a constant juggling act of caring for her mother, caring for herself, and completing her own work.

“Of course I have my own housework to do,” Carol says. “Sometimes if I’m raking outside I have to tell her where I’m going. If she can see me she can watch me from the window. But in the summertime, I can take her outside. If I’m working in the garden, I take her outside and let her sit on the porch. I put a straw hat on her so she can watch me wherever I’m at, because you can’t leave her alone for very long periods of time because you don’t know what she is going to do.”

Heartland’s aides relieve Carol, giving June company and keeping her safe, allowing Carol an opportunity to work or run errands

Kyla Tungate, one of Heartland Independent Living Center’s In-

home aides, flips through a nature book with June, while she holds 

her music book. June will often times sing to Kyla while she works.  

“People like Mrs. June are what makes me love my job,” said Kyla Tungate, one of June’s HILC’s In-Home aides. “She makes it all worth it, and there’s no better feeling in the world than knowing that I made a difference in her life, as well as others. I strive to make every day an enjoyable and memorable one. Through the rough times in my life I’ve learned that you never know when one day may be someone’s last, so you've got to make every day count.”

Carol does what she does because she always has. Her mother is not the first person she has cared for when their health declined. Though her mother is deservingof all the care she can give, Carol says.

“I love my mom very much and I know here she has the family environment,” Carol says. “You see, my dad died when she was 39-years-old and she lived alone for a long time. She never got remarried. From that point on she was the family provider and care giver for the children. My youngest sister wasn’t even a year old at the time. She has been a wonderful, wonderful mother and she’s been a caring mother. She’s carried a heavy load and personally I feel that she needs the same love and care that she gave her family. I really do.”

Carol knows that as time progresses her mother’s needs are going to change and it could become harder to care for her.

“Sometimes it gets difficult and you get tired,” Carol says. “Which I am today – I’m tired. It really helps to have the girls (from HILC) come in. As time goes on I know I’m going to need more things to take care of her and make it easier. It’s going to get harder. I think at the rate she’s going she may outlive me. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, but sometimes I feel that way.”

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Improving Generations through Life Skills

Cheryl French opens the door with an uneasy smile on her face. Being shy, new people, especially a new person with a camera, causes her to withdraw slightly, but the familiar face of Independent Living Specialist Debbie Skasick eases the situation quickly. Debbie has been working with Cheryl since June 2014 on skills training – a service provided by Heartland Independent Living Center.  

Why is Cheryl, a 37-year-old, putting herself through learning all of this? It’s all for her son – Abraham.  Abraham is 13 months old and Cheryl hopes that by the time he is going through school she will be able to help him with his homework because of the work she is doing now. 

The two sit comfortably at the dining room table, while Abraham plays quietly in his Pack ‘n Play and talk with each other before diving into a review on singular possessive nouns – a topic Cheryl is finding difficult.

“It makes it so I can read and write again,” said Cheryl about the skills training Heartland is providing her. 

Cheryl has a learning disability and was previously being assisted by Millicent at Pathways until they referred her to Heartland.

“In grade school, they just wanted you to know your name and address,” Cheryl said. “They didn’t teach me anything.” 

Now Debbie is trying to fill in the pieces of Cheryl’s missing education, working through The Complete Book of Grammar Punctuation Grades 3 to 4 - a grammar book that Cheryl already owned.  Along with working through the grammar book, Debbie gives Cheryl spelling words and other worksheets as homework. 

“I think she is actually doing very well,” Debbie says. “She’s comprehending and understanding a lot and when she doesn't she asks a lot of good questions so we can learn together.”

Debbie walks Cheryl through the first few problems to make sure she understands the concept that possessive means ownership.

“We won’t move on till I know you get it,” Debbie reassures Cheryl.

After answering a particularly difficult question, Debbie tells Cheryl, “You’re awesome! You are awesome.”

Debbie’s teaching style is to constantly reassure Cheryl that she is doing the work right and to make Cheryl, who seems to lack a certain confidence in her ability to complete the work, understand that she is capable of doing the work on her own.

In between visits, Larry Wehmeyer, Cheryl’s boyfriend, helps her with learning and the work assigned.

“I can’t say enough about you guys coming out here,” Larry says. “I know it’s a long drive, but it really means a lot. God bless you.”

An hour, even after arriving early, goes by in no time. The difference in Cheryl’s ability is already evident. Cheryl breezes through several practice sheets on singular possessive nouns – the same concept which gave her trouble not two weeks before.

Debbie leaves Cheryl with practice work in plural possessive nouns to work on between visits; as well as, her spelling words and sentences.

Debbie loves providing skills training to individuals.

“I love it because I feel like I’m making a difference for them,” Debbie says. “I’m making them feel more confident in being independent.”

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Heartland Gains Grant to Buy Smoke Alarms

Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from properties without working smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In an effort to prevent that from happening to individuals with disabilities served by Heartland Independent Living Center, the Owensville Area Community Foundation awarded Heartland a $500 grant to be used for the purchase smoke alarms.  Heartland’s primary objective is to help individuals with disabilities live an independent life.

According to FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) National Fire Incident Reporting System’s most recent report, during a three year span, 2007 to 2009, an estimated 700 residential building fires involving individuals with disabilities were reported. These fires caused an estimated 160 deaths, 200 injuries and $26 million dollars in property damage.

“With people with disabilities and advanced age it takes them longer to get out (of their home),” Independent Living Specialist Karman Warner said. “They need an earlier warning. Smoke alarms will go off probably two to three minutes before its necessary. Two to three minutes doesn’t seem like much but it could be the difference between life and death.”

Heartland Independent Living Specialists work to design emergency plans based on the individuals living environment and particular needs. This includes providing a File of Life with the necessary medical information needed a life-saving situation, Guardian Alert 911 communication devices and smoke alarms to qualifying individuals.

“Heartland Independent Living Center is very grateful to the Owensville Area Community Foundation for their support,” Executive Director Pat Chambers said. “The smoke alarms purchased with these grant funds will support the health and safety of a number of folks in our community.” 

Heartland to Host Red Carpet Trivia Night

Try to fend off the paparazzi during an evening of glitz and glamour during Heartland Independent Living Center’s annual trivia night at the Owensville Lions Club on October 11, 2014. This year’s theme is “The Red Carpet Challenge.”

A celebrity costume contest and auction will be among the evening’s festivities.  Come dressed as your favorite celebrity for a red carpet appearance and join in during the auction which will take place during the intermission. Some of the items to be auctioned off will include: St. Louis City Museum tickets, a one night stay at the Big Cedar Lodge, Gateway Arch adult tickets, a limited edition autographed poster by Kansas City Chiefs player Gary Barbaro and much more.

Categories for the trivia night will include four movie categories: scifi/thriller, action, comedy and drama; as well as four television categories: reality, sitcom, miniseries and drama. Each category will contain ten questions.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the challenge will begin at 6:00 p.m. Price of admission is $10 a person and teams can range from two to ten people. Concessions will be available, but outside food/beverages are also permitted.

All proceeds will benefit Heartland’s Emergency Assistance Program. Nearly all those served by the organization are at or below 185% of the federal poverty. These individuals have very limited financial resources.  Unfortunately, an unplanned expense such as a vehicle or home repair very quickly results in their inability to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. In response, Heartland developed the Emergency Assistance program to address these unique needs not addressed by other services. As with all other programs, it is designed to aid consumers in meeting essential needs in order to remain independent and living within their own home.  Funds are most often requested for utility or prescription assistance

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Heartland Awarded Green Foundation Grant

Human services funder, the Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, granted $2,500 to Heartland Independent Living Center to establish the Heartland Care Closet.

The Heartland Care Closet will be one element of the Heartland Community Resource Center. The program will provide essential household, personal hygiene and first aid items to qualifying individuals. Heartland serves individuals of varying ages with disabilities. Their current consumer base is predominantly individuals with disabilities at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The Care Closet falls right in with Heartland’s philosophy of caring for the “whole person” and by doing so promoting a healthier, happier community.

Current plans are to implement the program in early 2015 once procedures are in place, supplies are bought and adequate space has been built to hold them.

“Heartland Independent Living Center has been working to establish a ‘Care Closet’ program for more than two years,” Executive Director Pat Chambers said. “This program will provide individuals with disabilities, living on low fixed incomes, with a few personal hygiene, laundry and household cleaning products, allowing the consumer to have those much-needed items without having to use funds they really need for rent, food, and medications.”

The Green Foundation’s funding primarily focuses on central and eastern Missouri. Approximately 15% of their funding goes towards human services. This funding will allow Heartland to purchase the initial inventory of products and shelving to store the products. An estimated 1,200 people will benefit from this service.

“We continually seek new ways to help individuals with disabilities, and it’s exciting to establish a new service,” Tiffany Reid, Resource Development Coordinator, said. “This seed money will allow us to assist with some very basic human needs while furthering the Green Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of the life for Missourians. I am thrilled that they have granted our request.”

For further information contact Resource Development Coordinator Tiffany Reid at 573-437-5100.

Attention Blind Pension Recipients!

The State of Missouri will soon be making changes to the handling of prescription coverage for Blind Pension recipients.  To ease the transition process, a series of conference calls have been scheduled to brief individuals on the impending modifications.  Hosted by the Missouri Department of Social Services MO Health Net, four calls have been scheduled for:

• Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 5, 2014, 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 7, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
• Thursday, October 9, 2014, 2:00 p.m.

The call may be accessed by dialing 567-314-4017.  At the prompt, enter pass code 25463, followed by the pound sign.
  
Blind Pension recipients are permitted to take part in any of the four calls.  In addition to outlining changes, MO Health Net will be answering questions.  

Beneficiaries are encouraged to participate and make inquiries regarding the changes.

Surplus Walkers Need to Go

Are you in need of a walker and your health care insurance doesn’t cover it? Or are you a rehab facility or a medical center that could use a few more in their inventory? No worry, Heartland Independent Living Center has a surplus that they are willing to donate to those who need them in the community on a first come first serve basis.

Heartland is grateful that so many have recently been donated for those in need. Usually, Heartland would hold on to them until a need arises; however, with the upcoming renovations on the Heartland building, storage space will be limited.

“We want to make good use of the gifts we’ve been given.” Resource Development Coordinator Tiffany Reid, said. “Rather than place these items in storage, we want to be proactive in getting these items back into the community where they are needed.”

If you’re interested in getting one for yourself, a loved one, to have on hand at your church or civic organization or if you simply need some for your rehab or medical facility please contact Heartland at 573-437-5100.

Lab Comforts Nursing Home Residents

Ray Vermillion has been a paraplegic for 25 years, but he doesn’t let his disability keep him from things he wants to do.  A country boy at heart, Ray lives in a farmhouse not far from the Gasconade River outside of Vienna.  His loyal companion, Lady, is a black lab who showed up on the property and took up residence with him.  Although Ray uses a stripped down wheelchair for indoor mobility and traveling, the rough terrain outside requires a more rugged motorized set of wheels.  “We love it out here in the country,” says Ray.  “Living in town is like being in jail.”

One of the things Ray likes to do is visit his 93-year old grandmother, Beulah, in the nursing home.  Once a month Ray and Lady drive to Meramec Nursing Center in Sullivan where they visit grandma and other residents.  Fellow dog lovers welcome Lady and are glad to have the opportunity to reconnect with “man’s best friend.”  Even Smokey, the resident cat, has come to accept Lady on the premises.  “Residents look forward to Lady’s visits,” states the Center’s Assistant Administrator Donna Barns.  “She’s very gentle and her presence comforts our residents.”

Ray Vermillion and his black lab, Lady, visit his 93-year old grandmother at Meramec Nursing Center in Sullivan.  During Ray’s monthly visit, Lady makes her regular rounds visiting other residents as well.