Meet Ruth Manning, RN, a Patina Nurse Champion who travels throughout the Greater Philadelphia region to meet her patients in person, in the comfort of their own homes. A board certified gerontological nurse for more than 10 years, Ruth has a true passion for working with older adults and is committed to helping them receive the healthcare and aging experience they truly deserve.
As a graduate of Abington Dixon School of Nursing and West Chester University, Ruth has worked with older adults for more than two decades. Earlier in her professional career, she was a high school and college science teacher. She is a strong believer that all people, regardless of their age, should be treated with respect and dignity – and works to ensure that these values are reflected in the care she delivers to her patients every day.
We sat down with Ruth to learn more about her role as a Nurse Champion. Read on to learn about her personal life, as well as how she supports Patina patients, and more.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you like to do in your spare time? Why did you become a nurse?
I have so many hobbies! I love to be outdoors, to be active, and to travel. I enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking and biking. When I was 21, I went backpacking in Europe by myself for three months – truly an unforgettable experience!
I am an amateur genealogist. I love researching my family tree and have learned so much about my family history. I am also a music lover. I go to concerts and enjoy all types of music, from rock and roll, to classical, to jazz.
In the late 1990’s, I was looking for a career change. I had worked as a high school and college science teacher but was ready for a new challenge. At the time, I remember seeing many articles about a nursing shortage. Because I love working with people and I love science, I decided to give it a try – and I fell in love with the field! I’ve never regretted making the switch.
Q: What were you doing before you joined Patina?
Early in my career, I worked for engineering companies as a chemist/project manager on environmental sites. I was actively involved in placing hazardous waste sites on the EPA’s Superfund List. I went to school for chemistry, water resources and engineering, and have a love of science and nature. I then went on to teach high school chemistry and earth science. I also taught chemistry at Cabrini College for 14 years.
Twenty years ago, I decided it was time to make a career change. Combining my love for people and passion for science, I became a nurse and worked as a telemetry nurse at Abington Hospital. I then transitioned to long term care and worked in several facilities, which included ten years as a registered nurse and another ten as a nursing supervisor. I also worked as an assessment coordinator, compiling data sets for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid CMS for all rehab and long term care patients, submitting all payments for Medicare / Medicaid / Medicare Advantage patients, and was in charge of the five-star rating at each care facility. Working in different roles in geriatric medicine, both on the front lines with patients as well as in administrative roles, really gives me a unique perspective on how our healthcare system works. I’ve seen first-hand how complicated it can be to navigate, which is why I think what we’re doing at Patina is so important.
Today, I continue to maintain board certifications in geriatric nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (since 2011) and as a resident assessment coordinator by the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing.
Q: What drew you to Patina?
I loved working with older adults, but was looking for a change of scenery after 20 years at long term care facilities. Patina seemed to be the perfect fit – allowing me to continue working and interacting with the patients I have grown to love, but caring for them in their homes as opposed to caring for them in a rehab or long term care facility. I’m thrilled with my decision to join this growing team, who all share the same passion and commitment to providing a better healthcare experience for older adults!
Q: What are some of the things you can do as a nurse at Patina that the average primary care office, clinic / hospital, or other care setting wouldn't enable?
Visiting patients in the comfort of their own homes is such an invaluable experience. I get to meet various family and friends of patients. I get to see how they live in their home and attend to their healthcare needs. I can evaluate their medications, their medical supplies (including simple things, such as showing them how to clean the filter on an oxygen concentrator), identify potential safety issues, and see what kind of support is available (and needed) at home. I also get to observe if there is heat or air conditioning, is their food, is the home in need of major repairs, is it a safe living environment, etc. All of these impact health and well-being, and are things we at Patina take into consideration as we support our patients.
Q: What is the value of seeing patients at home / in their home environment?
There is tremendous value in interacting with patients in their daily lives, including seeing how their home is set up, observing how they manage medications, meeting their loved ones and caregivers, and having the opportunity to build trusting relationships with them. I try to be as productive as possible during our time together – I can help to improve their home situation, offer home safety tips, help with medication management, suggest specific medical equipment that might benefit them, and assess the need for physical or occupational therapy.
When family is present, I like to use this as a learning opportunity by educating patients and loved ones on how to take blood pressure, perform an accu-check (for diabetes), and ask questions about other health issues. All of these are really not possible to understand by asking patients questions during an office or clinic visit, and there are often simple suggestions or modifications that can have a big impact on a person’s health. It’s great to have such a clear window into their living environment.
Q: How do you work with your patients at Patina?
I join home visits with the primary care practitioner (PCP) on the patient’s care team. I’m with patients at home and their PCP joins via video, and we can discuss symptoms, perform an exam, and align on care plans. I also do solo visits, traveling to the patient's home for health assessments, education, medication management, blood pressure checks, ear cleaning – the list of what I can help with goes on and on! While I’m there, I also help them make phone calls, fill out paperwork, etc. Healthcare is so confusing and overwhelming that even small things like this are really helpful – and that’s really rewarding!
Q: How do you work with patients’ family members who want to stay in the loop and be involved with their loved ones' care?
I love that Patina offers so many options for families or others to stay involved in the care of their loved one. Patients can grant loved ones access to the Patina app to view and write messages to the care team, and it’s easy for loved ones to join visits. I often have family members who attend appointments virtually with the PCP or who sit in on a home visit appointment. Whatever the family prefers, I do whatever I can to make it easy for them to stay informed and ask questions as needed. I really like how Patina makes it easy for family members and other loved ones to become a core part of the care team.
Q: What is most rewarding about working at Patina?
Our patients are definitely one of the most rewarding parts about working at Patina! For me, it’s the opportunity to help people with their healthcare needs, and to see how the care we provide can improve their lives and make them a healthier version of themselves. At the end of the day, that’s what makes their lives – and the lives of their families – better.