Health S.E.T.—20 years of service to low-income seniors

By John Gleason

For the last 20 years an organization called Health S.E.T. (Service, Empowerment and Transformation) has been committed to improving the lives of low-income, frail elderly in the metropolitan area.  Health S.E.T. is a free, first-line resource for this portion of the population, going into their clients’ rent-subsidized apartment housing to address physical, emotional and spiritual needs by way of health promotion clinics and nurse care management, according to Executive Director Jenna Steig Watkins.

“The places we go people are living independently,” Watkins said, “but in many cases, they have little contact with family or friends.  Our statistics reveal that as many as 30 percent have zero contact and we even had one client who asked that we call her once a week to make sure she is still alive.  Quite often, it’s us or nobody.”

Health S.E.T. is a nonprofit organization founded by two orders of Catholic religious sisters, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters to provide health care and assistance. The organization, when compared with other service groups, has flown under the radar according to Watkins. Health S.E.T. would like to change that.

“We might not be as well known as other groups,” Watkins said, “but it comes from what I like to call ‘culture modesty’ in our organization; our priority has been on programs and outreach.  But last month our anniversary celebration attracted more than 200 people, many who wanted to know who we are and about our programs.”

One of those efforts, the nurse care management program, serves those deemed “at risk” primarily due to age, disease or impairment.  They also help their clients navigate the complex health care system, promoting independence and self-determination while also supporting clients as they deal with life transitions. 

“We had a client who was dealing with a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, a severe nerve condition of the face which makes it very painful to eat,” Watkins said.  “Many people with this affliction are considered a high suicide risk because of the constant pain.  Through the work of our nurses this client had a procedure done that now allows him to eat without pain. These are the stories you remember.”

In the last year, more than 730 clients availed themselves of services at Health S.E.T. clinics, thanks to the help of more than 120 volunteers.  More than 300 clients were visited in their homes while another 300 clients were accompanied to medical care providers at no cost.  Mary Brockman found out about Health S.E.T. when she moved here from California 14 years ago.  She became very fond of the volunteers who came to “check in” on the residents of her building and became a volunteer of sorts herself, organizing the monthly visits.

“They come here on the first Thursday of the month,” Mary said.  “They send me the flyers and I post them and remind everyone that the day is coming up.  Some months we’ve had as many as 35 to 40 people waiting to see the nurses.  Some look for questions to be answered, others just want to talk.”

The volunteers come in and check the client’s blood pressure, last month everyone got a flu shot and a person-by person check to make sure that everyone is staying on their medication, according to Brockman.  

“It’s family,” she said, “and for some of the people here, it’s the only family they have.  They treat us like they’ve known us all their lives; if we have a question, they find out the answer.  It’s very special.”

Watkins said that 20 years is just a beginning because there is always more to do.  She is always looking for individuals or organizations who want to know more about Health S.E.T. and the people they help.  Information can be found online at healthset.org, or by calling 303-595-6644.