STEP Office of Aging's annual PEER Day was held at the Clinton County Community Center on June 12th. Fifty-six Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents from long term care facilities across Lycoming and Clinton Counties attended, as well as Eliza Weeden, Ombudsman Specialist from the state Ombudsman office, seven local ombudsman staff and volunteers, and staff from the nursing facilities that the PEER represent.
STEP Office of Aging Ombudsmen began offering the PEER program in 2006 and each nursing home as well as some personal care homes and an older adult daily living center in Lycoming and Clinton Counties now have PEER groups. There are currently 100 trained PEERs active in Lycoming and Clinton County facilities.
PEER enjoyed an indoor picnic lunch catered by Frey’s Commissary with musical entertainment by the Steve Sutherlan. Awards were given to Outstanding PEER from each group. Awarded for their outstanding service were Janet Herman from Haven Skilled Rehab & Nursing, Mim Noordam from Jersey Shore Skilled, Mary Ryder from Muncy Place, Carol Krauser from Edenbrook North, Kitty Pearce from Edenbrook South, Robert Eyer from Lock Haven Rehab & Senior Living, Nancy Young from Rose View Center, John Russell from WeCare of Sycamore, Carol Hills from Valley View, Janis Lowe from The Williamsport Home, Liz Boyd from Albright LIFE, Lois Coombes from Celebration Villa, LaDonna King from Fulmers, Rodney Waltz from Hillside Senior Living, Norman Banks from Insingers West, and Lena Carrichner from Wolf Run Village. Robert Eyer was also awarded the Overall Outstanding PEER award for 2026.
