Caregiver Corner: Allyson Luketich, Community LIFE

By Nancy Kennedy

Allyson Luketich has a passion for helping others, and she finds countless opportunities to do exactly that in her job at Community LIFE Pittsburgh. Community LIFE is an all-inclusive, whole-person program of services and supports that enable older adults to safely remain in their homes rather than in an institutional setting. Allyson is Center Administrator for Community LIFE McKeesport, and is responsible for daily management of the Center’s overall operations, including the delivery of primary medical care, in-home support services, and adult day care. She supervises an interdisciplinary team of twelve, guiding the staff to provide excellent, respectful care. McKeesport is one of eight Community LIFE Centers.

In her position as Center Administrator Allyson wears many hats but she identifies herself as a caregiver, and she has embraced that role since her youth. At age 15, she was a volunteer at Mayview State Hospital, and it was there that she discovered the immense rewards of caring for others in need. She also cared for older family members. “I believe that a caregiving gene was planted in me, and I knew that this was what I was going to do with my life. I love my work and Community LIFE is a great place to work.”

Caregiving at Community LIFE means always being mindful of the organization’s mission, Allyson believes, “We emphasize respect for the person, protection of their dignity, whole-person care, quality of life and safety. We have incredible teamwork. We help people achieve their goals, manage their activities of daily living, keep their independence and find companionship and socialization. The satisfactions of caregiving for our participants are enormous.”

Allyson has a unique way of creating work-life balance, for self-care and stress management. She was inspired in the past by an older nurse who told her that the best way for nurses to cope with the demands of nursing was to travel, at every opportunity, “This nurse was a world traveler and she rewarded herself with wonderful trips. I am following her example. For me, travel is the best form of self care. It’s a reset and you always have something to look forward to.” Allyson has enjoyed traveling to Aruba with her husband Andre and daughter Sophia, 11, and looks forward to visiting Hawaii someday..

Community LIFE offers excellent medical care, peace of mind, and an enhanced quality of life. To learn more about it, visit www.commlife.org or call 1-866-419-1693.