Senior Resources’ Primary Care at Home program was recognized with an Innovations Award at the recent USAging national conference for area agencies on aging.
Aging Innovations Awards honor the most innovative initiatives. Senior Resources was one of 16 local aging programs to receive this prestigious award.
Pictured are (from left) John Byer, CEO, Cumulus; Senior Resources CEO Pam Curtis, Medical Services Administrator Kim Vazquez, and Community Services Director Amy Florea; Mary Ann Spanos, president, USAging; and Michael Eidsaune, CEO, Caregiving.com.
Primary Care at Home serves people who live with multiple chronic conditions and require complex medical and social support but for whom leaving home is difficult. The program aims to reduce health care costs and health disparities by bringing care to the home. This high-touch model of care is integrated with long-term services and supports and behavioral health interventions.
Nurse practitioners under the supervision of a physician serve as the primary care provider and respond to medical issues 24 hours a day. Community Health Workers gather patient vitals, check general well-being and connect patients with resources and supports. Providers complete point-of-care testing and order X-rays, EKGs and ultrasounds in the home. Licensed master social workers provide telehealth or in-home counseling. A pharmacist recommends changes and educate patients on reducing medication side effects.
Prior to this program, on average 23% of care management participants had monthly emergency department visits with 8% hospitalized. In the first full year, Primary Care at Home participant monthly emergency department visits were less than 6% and hospitalization rates were less than 3%.
Read more about the award, and other recipients, on the USAging website.