Senior Community Centers

Health Care Services

Several years ago, Senior Community Centers' case managers noticed that many of the seniors they helped did not seek medical attention until they experienced a crisis or health care emergency.

With no family to look after them, these seniors often ignored the warning signs of impending illness or chronic health conditions because of their fear of being sent to a nursing home. As a result, their symptoms were more severe when interventions were finally made, usually by paramedics responding to a 911 call, resulting in costly visits to the hospital and a longer than necessary recovery time in many cases.

Recognizing that proactive treatment and follow-up was critical to the well-being of this vulnerable population, Senior Community Centers designed its Health Promotion Harm Reduction (HPHR) program. It has proven to be an innovative and cost effective way to identify at-risk seniors and provide access to nurse case management services for health education, preventative care and referrals to appropriate sources such as physicians and skilled nursing facilities for more intensive services.

The key to this program's success is the trusting and caring relationship between the nurse and the senior that serves as a lifeline for those who otherwise might fall through the cracks of the managed care medical system.

"Susan the Nurse" performs a routine checkup.

Client Stories