Air conditioning is something a lot of people take for granted. It’s a luxury that makes life just … well, cooler. But, for those who don’t have it, summer months can be dreadful. Imagine having a complex medical condition that makes it hard to breathe while going through the hottest season of the year without air conditioning. That is what 60-year-old Jim Carsen*, who has been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and heart failure, was facing every year.
Jim, unable to afford air conditioning himself, was assigned to the community paramedicine team under Parkview Population Health – which works with high-risk chronic disease and community-based care patients. One member of this team, Toni Wyse, community paramedic, spoke with Jim and helped him filter through known resources that could help him obtain air conditioning, but nothing seemed to work.
Seeing that all other possibilities had been exhausted, two members of the team, Lynette Neher and Lisa Knox, ambulatory care transitions supervisors, knew just who could help – the Parkview Foundation.
The Foundation was contacted in late-May, and with a little research on different types of air conditioning systems, they were able to order not just one, but two window air conditioning units – one for his living room and one for his bedroom.
“It was an amazing moment for us to know that he was able to get the two window air conditioning units for his home as a result of donor generosity through the Foundation,” expressed Lynette.
Jim’s son was able to help him install the units and now, not only is Jim able to relax a little more, but so are the members of the Parkview Health team that helped Jim acquire the right tools to help with his illness.
“Thanks to the Foundation’s donors, this patient now has the resource that is absolutely vital to his overall health and well-being. Our gratitude to the community is truly profound,” Lisa said.
There are many minor tools that are often taken for granted but could potentially have the ability to save lives. To find out more ways that you can help, visit ParkviewFoundations.org.
*Jim Carsen’s first and last name have been changed to respect his privacy.
