When people think about getting older - most would probably say they’d prefer to age at home with family, friends and a familiar environment. However the complex medical system and lack of infrastructure support for older Americans in the United States are preventing many from achieving this goal. According to Bharadwaj et. al., about 7 million Americans are considered homebound or have difficulty leaving their home for regular medical care. Their care is often complicated by complex chronic diseases and social needs. This has sparked a conversation about adapting the healthcare models to provide better care for these people.
An article published in Journal of Palliative Medicine in October 2023, “Preliminary Analysis of an Advanced Health Care Practitioner-Led Home-Visit Primary Care Program for High-Risk Patients Reduced Health Care Costs and Utilization” evaluates a home based primary care program. The care involved nurse practicitioner led primary care house calls. It was delivered in home to frail older aduts that had shown difficulty with getting care from traditional office based practices.
The study found the following results:
—29% decrease in total healthcare costs
—36% decrease in inpatient hospital stays
—39% decrease in emergency room visits
—54% decrease in 30 day “readmission rate” (returning to the hospital after recently being discharged).
There have been many studies showing similar results and support the use of home based primary care programs to help seniors age at home. Additionally the study noted increased use of at home palliative care and hospice programs.
Aging Grace House Calls is a new healthcare program providing a similar care model to older adults residing in the Bangor, ME area. Visits are led by an expeprienced primary care/geriatric nurse practitioner - Katie Mordino ANP-BC. The practice is small and personal - care is targeted to patient preference/goals and effective. If you would like to learn more about how House Calls Programs Help Keep People Aging at Home, please use the contact forms or chat function to speak to Katie directly.
If you would like to read the article referenced in this story:
Bharadwaj P, Dyjack N, Gill G, Solomon A, Schafer M, Simpson E, DeVito R, Merz G, Switzer L, Gillette M, Fahnestock L, Somaiya CK, Randhawa M. Preliminary Analysis of an Advanced Health Care Practitioner-Led Home-Visit Primary Care Program for High-Risk Patients Reduced Health Care Costs and Utilization. J Palliat Med. 2023 Oct;26(10):1395-1397. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0351. Epub 2023 Jul 17. PMID: 37459163.
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