Age represents the will and wisdom of an individual. Today’s elderly represent the prosperity of a nation and a generation of people who are the true contributors of what we now value as the ability to revel in economic freedoms and follow individual pursuits.
Unfortunately, the elderly comprise a population that is at times neglected and often forgotten in a youth–obsessed culture. Political representation for this minority group is limited, as the elderly struggle to understand the changes incurring in health care reforms and new legislation. Even though current political divisiveness may seem to halter progress in medical care for all, there are still those individuals who are paving the way towards providing positive outcomes for communities of elder patients who need it most.
In San Antonio, Elizabeth Leal Owner of Sunrise Home Health Care Services of San Antonio, Inc. gives a voice to the elderly with an important message and mission she and her team carry out every day with heart and hope. Leal opened Sunrise Home Health Care of San Antonio in 1999, motivated by both her parents who suffered with the challenge of illness throughout their later years. When her father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Leal and her family were introduced to home health care. “Before that time, we'd never heard of home health,” says Leal. As the caretaker for her mother and father, Leal decided it was time to take matters into her own hands. She pursued education as a certified nursing assistant and worked for a local agency for several years before venturing on her own.The Sunrise Standard“Our quality of care is what separates us from other local agencies,” says Leal. “My patients are not just numbers, they are human beings and that's how we treat them.”
For more than 15 years, Sunrise has catered their services to geriatric patients who are home–bound and require skilled nursing. Home care services range from physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, certified home health aides, as well as provide in–home lab work, X–rays, teaching and much more.
The care at Sunrise culminates in a loving, knowledgeable and kind–hearted staff. With roughly 40 employees, Leal describes their high quality of nursing skills, and continuing education courses that allow them to remain consistent with the times and advances in technology.
“Our nursing staff is well trained in wound care, IV therapy, and diabetes,” says Leal.
As times continue to change in home health, state regulations now require agencies like Sunrise to implement tracking to show the outcomes of patients from admission to release. “Now you can see the outcomes of all the agencies,” says Leal. “It's readily accessible online.”
As a leader in home health care, Sunrise is committed to their patients well–being. However, one element of elderly care Leal cites nationwide is a lack of educational resources for the aging regarding their health care plan and eligibility.
“Many people don't have families,” she says. “Therefore, there needs to be more education on their HMO's and changes that are occurring on their health plans, especially in our current times. Education is very vital to the elderly.”
A Guiding Light
Leal's journey as an entrepreneur has been one of many rewards and challenges. With a vision set forth to provide care for senior citizens, Leal found perseverance and not circumstance to be the guiding light in her life. She overcame a bad partnership at the onset of her first company, endured the loss of both parents, overcame the heartache of divorce, and raised three successful children.
“I knew then that I couldn't just put myself under a rock,” she says. “I had to strap up my boots, get on that horse, ride it and not turn back.”
It is that same motivation and determination that has inspired her to open several more companies. Through understanding the needs of her patients, Leal sought to open the Alamo Adult Activity Center, run by her daughter, Lisa Leal. The center provides transportation, breakfast, a home–cooked meal and snacks, as well as activities and field trips throughout the week.
Leal's daughters have been integral to the family business. Alongside Lisa, Melissa Salazar joins her mother's crusade to help the elderly as the director of nursing.
“My daughters have been called a chip off the old block,” says Leal with a proud grin. “We run a very tight ship here. Our No. 1 priority is our patients.”
In recent months, Sunrise opened the doors to a Community Health Kitchen, which is held after hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Dr. Richard Martinez runs the program with Leal.
“We get the majority of people from around this area and the doctor spends time with them discussing diabetes and how to prevent it,” she explains. “If you already have it, he'll teach you how to best stabilize it and possibly help to reduce it.”
There is a personal trainer on site to coordinate activities and exercise for all ages from children to the elderly. Participants are able to engage in sports on the basketball court, participate in dodge ball, and jump rope. A registered dietitian teaches participants to read labels and portion sizes when shopping at the grocery store in order to make healthy choices regarding their daily dietary needs. “Everything is based on healthy cooking,” says Leal. However, as Leal points out, funding is needed to continue their important efforts in the community.
One of Leal's most recent titles is as the inventor of the Teddy Neb “Breathing Made Bearable,” which has garnered her significant praise and attention. The yellow teddy–bear nebulizer was made easily accessible for all ages.
“It's very user–friendly,” says Leal. The bright, child–like teddy bear is designed for all ages who battle breathing problems including emphysema and cystic fibrosis. The treatment time is half that of other nebulizers on the market and it's turning out to be a fun companion for kids and the elderly alike. For more information or to purchase, visit www.teddyneb.com.
A Beacon of Hope
Leal's success within the home health industry is a testament to her uncompromising vision and leadership to serve the elderly and all those in need of compassionate care. From overseeing the day–to–day management of Sunrise to organizing events throughout the community, Leal is also a board member of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Her focus on its important cause is evident as she seeks to provide a voice for an illness that is often left unnoticed.
“It's a nationwide disease,” she asserts. Currently, Leal is coordinating an annual blood and tissue drive which is scheduled for October at the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center. This year, the theme will be Texas Longhorns versus the Texas Aggies. A golf tournament is also scheduled to raise money for the foundation in October.
Last year, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognized Leal with the Business Women Innovators award. “It was such an honor for me,” she says. “I am very proud of our accomplishments as a unified effort and vision.”
Now, at 53 years old, Leal who says she is semi–retired, will leave her legacy at Sunrise to her daughters, whose passion and leadership exemplifies the extraordinary work that can be accomplished when a family works together to pursue a joint mission.
“I am very proud of my daughters,” says Leal. Without a doubt, the operation of Sunrise conveys the love of a family towards a community that means so much.
As Leal reminisces of the past where her passion took root, she says even though the heartache of enduring loss was a tremendous hardship she knows she wouldn't be where she is without the lessons and experiences she overcame.
“The best reward is the outcome of what comes from being raised in an environment where I learned how to survive,” says Leal. “That gave me the determination of wanting to be successful, but also wanting my success to have a reward attached to the end of it.” It's the reward Leal today feels most proud of. Every patient and participant holds a special place in her heart, for their smiling faces shine through as inspiration to the message of Sunrise and all of Leal's work for the elderly and the children she serves.
