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Caring
for New Hampshire’s Seniors in CHCs is a Good Idea
Seniors
will benefit because they will receive high quality care resulting in
improved health outcomes. The
State of New Hampshire will benefit because it will decrease Medicaid
spending on long-term care and other costs associated with seniors.
Community Health Centers (CHCs) will benefit because they will
receive additional revenue from Medicare.
Providing
Senior Care in CHCs is Compatible with the Goals of Medicaid
Modernization
The ideal vision of elder care in CHCs is based on
delivering high quality integrated health care with respect and dignity.
Based on this vision, provision of senior services at CHCs would:
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Improve the quality of life for seniors
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Allow seniors to remain healthy and independent for as long as
possible
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Allow seniors to remain active members of the community
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Improve health and combat feelings of depression and isolation in
Seniors
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Minimize cost to the individual, Health Center, state and federal
government
National
Models for Senior Care Already Exist and can be Adapted to CHCs
The
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has been on the cutting edge of
developing senior programs. They
are nationally recognized for their quality and innovation.
Programs such as their Adult Day Health Center (ADHC), Program of
All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Homecare Program are
aimed at emphasizing independence, and preventing institutionalization
among seniors. These
programs can be developed for CHCs to provide more advanced care to
seniors.
CHCs
are Well Positioned to become “Centers of Excellence” for Senior
Care
CHCs can easily tailor their
current services for the senior population.
CHCs can create “seamless care” models that integrate health
care services with disease management programs, community based
services, and senior education tools.
With this advanced coordination of services, CHCs could provide
the optimal model of care for geriatric populations.
A
Coordinated Effort Will Be Required to Attract and Retain Senior
Patients at CHCs
CHCs have difficulty
attracting Medicare patients. Many
seniors view CHCs as geared toward mothers and children.
It is important to change this misconception.
CHCs have the tools to provide high quality care to the senior
population, and seniors can be made aware of the services available to
them. CHCs should work collaboratively in developing initiatives
that attract the senior population.
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