OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – An Oshkosh nursing home is offering to help residents at one of its counterparts that has been affected by Hurricane Harvey.
A photo showing the 15 or so residents of La Vita Bella in Dickinson, Texas sitting waist-deep in floodwater has gone viral in recent days.
Now, Miravida Living President Teresa Bertram wants to lend a hand.
“We would coordinate transportation from Texas and to receive and admit their elders into our nursing home, Bethel Home, to provide needed care and services.”
Bertram notes the residents have since been relocated to Galveston, Texas, which has also been affected by flooding.
She says they are working with government officials, such as Texas Senator John Cornyn, who is in touch with FEMA and the Department of Health Services.
“FEMA will help with the expense of transporation and then as they’re admitted to our nursing home, they would be paid for under Medicaid or Medicare.”
Although Miravida would not be covering those costs, Bertram says they can provide residents with a handful of necessary services.
“Support and coordination of transportation, support with medications and physicians, support with technology in terms of staying connected with their families, they may have special dietary needs that we would be able to address.”
Bertram notes the La Vita Bella residents are living in an uncertain time.
“These folks need a place to live fully, to be cared for, and be supported, not in anticipation of that assisted living facility opening, but the opportunity to go back, if it presents itself.”
Bertram says she has done this once before, following Hurricane Andrew, which hit Florida 25 years ago.
