Battle Creek VA Medical Center
Veteran is Home for His 100th Birthday Party
Battle Creek VA Medical Center Home Based Primary Care Team with U S Army Veteran, Otto Price, on his 100th Birthday
Decatur, MI-December 2, 2015 – Otto Price, U S Army Veteran, turned 100 years old on December 2, 2015. The Battle Creek VA Medical Center (VAMC) Home Based Primary Care team, along with the Battle Creek VAMC Director Mary Beth Skupien, the Home Based Primary Care manager Jenifer Whicker, and the Veteran’s son Otto Price Jr. gathered at the Veteran’s home in Decatur, Michigan to celebrate his 100th birthday. They shared and birthday wishes for Mr. Price. They also presented him with a certificate of appreciation for his service to our country. Price said, “This is the first time I have had a party like this.”
Mr. Price has been in the Battle Creek VA Medical Center’s Home Based Primary Care program since March 27, 2008. The in-home services provided by the Home Based Primary Care team have made it possible for Mr. Price to continue to live in his home independently. “It’s great that our staff can make it possible to keep Veterans like this healthy and in their homes,” said Skupien. There is a team of providers who visit Mr. Price to provide services needed for him to live independently in his home. Nursing services are provided by Wendy Vincent RN,BSN, Nutrition counseling/services are provided by Brenda Stoddard RD, Social Work services provided by Sandra Badt LMSW ACSW, Psychology services provided by Randall Halberda PsyD, and Occupational Therapy services provided by Ross Maguire OTR/L,. “We have a dedicated team of home based providers who serve Veterans in their homes,” said Whicker.
Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) is a unique model of long term care provided in the home. This model is designed for Veteran’s with complex medical, social, and behavioral conditions that are not managed well in a primary care clinic due to decline in health and difficulty leaving the home for care. HBPC assists frail, chronically ill Veterans who require a multi-disciplinary team to address their needs. The services provided in the home, help Veterans stay in their home while they age to maximize their function, minimize institutionalization, and maintain their quality of life.
Mr. Price was born in Mississippi on December 2, 1915. He attended public school for a few years and then left school at a very young age to work. He reported that after he was worked at the CC Camp he was drafted and served in the Army from March 31, 1942 to October 18, 1945. He worked in the tank corps. He was stationed in England, Africa, Switzerland and Rome. He operated heavy equipment to build landing areas for planes. After the service he returned to Mississippi and worked on a farm driving a John Deer tractor. In 1960 he moved to Decatur, Michigan to live with his Aunt and be close to his family. He worked at an apple processing plant and worked for a company driving a front end loader. He retired from a factory in Keeler, MI.
He has two children Otto Price Jr. and Addie Burnett. He has 13 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Mr. Price continues to stay active, spending time in his large garden and working on projects in his yard.
