EVIDENCE BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR MANAGING CHRONIC DISEASE AND PROMOTING WELLNESS IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING SENIORS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sadarangani, T R; Cortes, T
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 825
• Page End: 826
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.3074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: The prevalence of multiple chronic conditions among older persons is increasing worldwide and is associated with poor health status and high rates of healthcare utilization. Management of these conditions requires strong care coordination, interdisciplinary teamwork, support for caregivers, and an emphasis on health promotion and literacy. Yet, current health and social services are not addressing the complex needs of this group or their caregivers because they rarely adapt tested interventions to meet the needs of local populations and agencies. This symposium will share results from four innovative evidence-based community interventions addressing (1) care transitions (2) interdisciplinary disease management (3) health education and (4) caregiver support. The Community Based Health Home (CBHH) model integrates a "Nurse Navigator" within the Adult Day Health Center to conduct in-depth health and psychosocial assessments, make home visits, and facilitate care transitions. A collaboration between nursing and dental students in New York City evaluated oral health knowledge among underserved older adults at senior centers and help students develop interprofessional competencies. The Bronx Health Corps (BHC) was developed to increase health literacy and provide self-management support for older adults in the Bronx, NY. Finally, the Dementia Symptom Management at Home (DSM-H) Program assists home healthcare agencies in providing high quality evidence-based behavioral symptom management to persons with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers. Early results from these programs show that they can improve knowledge and confidence among clinicians and caregivers, reduce healthcare utilization and institutional placement, and improve clinical measures of health.