Dedicated Senior Medical Center to Help At-risk Jacksonville Seniors Stay Connected With More Than $125,000 in Free Enhanced-audio Phones

News provided by

Chenmed, LLC

Aug 15, 2018, 03:30 ET


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (PRWEB) August 15, 2018 -- Dedicated Senior Medical Centers in Jacksonville today announced expansion of a key community service activity for Medicare eligible seniors. The new medical practice that honors seniors with affordable VIP care that delivers better health, has established a 2018 goal of helping more than 500 hearing-impaired seniors in Jacksonville receive free enhanced-audio phones provided by the State of Florida.

“As a leading primary care medical practice serving seniors, we’re committed to doing meaningful community service year-round. We recently started helping nonprofits qualify and distribute free enhanced-audio phones to seniors with hearing impairment in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Jacksonville,” reports Maina Gatonye, MD, ChenMed Regional Chief Medical Officer.

“We’re seeing up to 60% of low- to moderate-income seniors completing the required 5-Minute Hearing Test self-appraisal forms have enough hearing loss to qualify for these life-changing phones,” Dr. Gatonye added, “and we’re so grateful that so many seniors could stay better connected to loved ones and their doctors with high quality equipment that works so well – all with zero changes to existing landline or cell phone service contracts.”

For the past several weeks, and at least through end of the year, Dedicated is partnering with Easterseals Northeast Central Florida in qualifying, setting up and distributing the enhanced-audio phones at one of its three Jacksonville centers every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9 AM and 1 PM. Easterseals Northeast Central Florida is the state’s leading distributor of FTRI enhanced-audio phones, having served more than 2,500 hearing-impaired seniors during the last 12 months.

“It’s well documented in medical literature that deaf and hearing-impaired seniors frequently experience higher levels of isolation and depression – both of which can negatively impact overall health and well-being,” explained Dr. Gatonye. He then underscored how passionate Dedicated clinicians are about improving communication with seniors year-round.

“Dedicated Senior Medical Centers are so welcoming,” notes Bev Johnson, MHA, MS, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida President and CEO. “Dedicated doctors give their cell phone numbers to patients. They encourage walk-in appointments. So, it’s so natural for Easterseals to be partnering with Dedicated. Plus, Dedicated’s community team of 10 is helping make sure that every enhanced-audio phone distribution we coordinate at a Dedicated center is preceded by large numbers of special invitations being made to seniors at risk of having hearing impairment. Together, we expect to help over 100 hearing-impaired seniors benefit weekly from Florida Telecommunications Relay phones.”

Dedicated makes it easy for seniors to find out if they qualify for a free enhanced-audio phone from Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), a statewide nonprofit that administers the Specialized Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program for citizens of Florida who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind and speech disabled.

Folks can simply stop by and visiting a Dedicated Senior Medical Center in Jacksonville, or call to schedule an FTRI free enhanced-audio phone appointment:

  • Dedicated JAX - Northside (Monday phone pick-ups; 3059 Edgewood Avenue West; 904-647-3180)
  • Dedicated JAX – Westside (Tuesday phone pick-ups; 6841 Blanding Blvd.; 904-862-2175)
  • Dedicated JAX – Arlington (Wednesday phone pick-ups; 9422 Arlington Expressway; 904-559-1844)

Dedicated opened its doors to Jacksonville seniors on July 2, 2018 and celebrated the first of three two-day grand opening events last week. The August 9-10 event at Dedicated JAX – Northside, enabled more than 250 seniors to take VIP tours, and to hear from political and community leaders including Florida Representative Kimberly Daniels, Jacksonville City Council Members Reggie Gaffney and Sam Newby, as well as Jacksonville Chamber Trustees Paul Woods and Frank Brewer.

This week, Dedicated JAX – Westside is celebrating its two-day grand opening August 14-15; and Dedicated JAX – Arlington will similarly celebrate August 16-17. The grand opening celebrations are from 10 AM to 2 PM, and more VIPs are confirmed, including Jacksonville City Council Members Garrett Dennis and Tommy Hazouri.

About Dedicated & ChenMed
For seniors most in need of care, high-quality health care too often is beyond reach. Dedicated Senior Medical Center – which currently operates 10 medical practices in Philadelphia, plus Bradenton, Clearwater, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Tampa, and St. Petersburg, Fla. – will, within months, further expand its Tampa Bay and Philadelphia presence. Part of the ChenMed family of companies, Dedicated brings concierge-style medicine – and better health outcomes – to the neediest populations. The value-based care provider serves seniors primarily with low-to-moderate incomes, most managing multiple chronic conditions.

Dedicated’s (ChenMed’s) mission is to honor seniors with affordable VIP care that delivers better health. To do that, Dedicated relies on innovative technology and a talented, resourceful and compassionate team of providers. Founded by Dr. James Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant and cancer survivor, ChenMed operates more than 40 medical centers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Virginia. Well-known ChenMed brands include Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and JenCare Senior Medical Center.
 
About Easterseals Northeast Central Florida
Children and adults with disabilities and special needs find highest-quality services designed to meet their individual needs when they come to Easterseals Northeast Central Florida. Teams of therapists, teachers and other health professionals at this nonprofit help each person overcome obstacles to independence and reach his or her personal goals. Easterseals also includes families as active members of any therapy program and offers the support families need.

For deaf and hearing-impaired individuals, Easterseals Northeast Central Florida:

  • Employs advocates helping deaf and hearing-impaired clients with employment; communication assistance; access to community resources; and independent living skills.
  • Serves as the Deaf Service Center for Northeast Central Florida, including Jacksonville, one of only 12 such regional centers in Florida connecting clients to resources and information to enhance health and well-being.
  • Provides speakers for community events, civic groups and businesses
  • Offers well qualified interpreters for such needs as medical appointments, personal situations; classes, seminars or vocational training, business activities and transactions, and law enforcement agencies.
  • Facilitates American Sign Language (ASL) classes, and training opportunities using latest assistive technologies.
  • Is the authorized regional distribution center for Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) phones and equipment, which are provided at no charge for qualified individuals.
  • Maintains an equipment loan closet to support individuals living with short or long-term disabilities. Through this temporary loan program, adults, children and caregivers can live, work and play regardless of challenges.

About FTRI
Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) is a statewide nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that administers the Specialized Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program for citizens of Florida who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind and Speech Disabled. FTRI is also responsible for the education and promotion of the Florida Relay Service.

The Florida Legislature passed the Telecommunications Access System Act (TASA F.S. 427) in 1991. The intent of TASA is to provide basic telecommunications services for Hard of Hearing, Deaf, Deaf/Blind, and Speech Disabled individuals, in the most cost-effective way possible. TASA mandates that the FTRI equipment distribution program and the Florida Relay Service be funded by a monthly surcharge billed to all telephone customers (landlines) in the State of Florida. The specialized telephone equipment and ring signaling devices provided through this program are loaned to all qualified permanent Florida residents for as long as they need it, at no charge.

James Brown, Chenmed, LLC, http://www.chenmed.com, +1 (305) 310-7214, [email protected]