Sourcebook Volume 9, 2010

Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation

The Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation is busier than ever meeting the healthcare referral needs of Fallbrook residents.

The Foundation was started in 1979 to support the local private hospital. During the next twenty years, the Foundation raised over $2,000,000 to purchase equipment for the hospital and to put a new roof on the hospital

building. In 1998, the Foundation’s role changed when the Fallbrook Hospital went for-profit. Consequently, the Foundation changed its mission to “identify, assess, promote, and fund programs to solve health issues

important to our communities.”

The Foundation is a non-profit organization funded by local citizens through private donations and bequests. Fourteen volunteer board members administer the Foundation and an Executive Director oversees the Foundation’s activities and programs. Currently, 8 outreach programs operate out of the two Fallbrook locations: The Pittenger House, 135 South Mission Road and The Jessie Yount Center, 320 West Alvarado Street.

The “Club,” an ADULT DAY CARE CENTER, is a social recreational program designed for elderly people who no longer fit into the activity level found in senior centers. The “Club’s” goal is to offer an interactive environment with games, crafts, cooking classes, current events, music appreciation, guest entertainment, and very low-impact exercises. (Contact: Teddie Borges @ 723-0890)

The Foundation's “CARE VAN” shuttles people to medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, and to the Foundation’s adult day-care center. (Contact: Judy Larsen @ 723-8182)

HEALTH CARE RESOURCES is an “I & R” (information and referral) service for citizens about health care services in Fallbrook and surrounding areas. (Contact: Sharion Hreha @723-7570)

PROJECT CARE, now under the umbrella of the Foundation's CARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM, is a community effort to enable frail, elderly, ill or disabled persons living alone to be safe and self sufficient. The CARE ADVOCATE will meet with the person to get to know them and understand their needs; provide referrals to resources and assist with accessing the resources, if needed; monitor the effectiveness of the resources; and provide on-going assistance for as long as needed. Project Care services include minor home repairs, referrals to the Sheriff's Department's "You Are Not Alone" program and "Vial of Life" program. Contact: Shaun Lemon or Irene Escobedo at 723-7570.

NAMI (National Alliance For The Mentally Ill) is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to help families develop the understanding, skills, and strengths they need to cope with their mentally-ill family members. Weekly “Share and Care” support meetings are available for caregivers. (Contact: Ann Gregorio @ 731-3235). “Family-to-Family” is a 12-week course for families of individuals with severe brain disorders (mental illnesses). (Contact: Kathy McKerman @ 728-1191, ext. 302)

The Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation serves as a trustee of charitable gifts to the FALLBROOK HOSPITAL HOSPICE. The goal of hospice care is to help a person’s last months be as fulfilling and comfortable as possible. (Contact: Pat Smorzewski @ 728-1191, ext. 378)

The Foundation’s volunteer Board of Directors are: Bob Wright, President, Eileen Delaney, Jack Rockwell, Marilee Lowe, Seth Aichle, Dave Breeding, Dr. Edward Stika, Mary Jo Pfaff, and Dee Renner.

Morgan Cadmus is the Program manager and can be reached at (760) 723-7713.