Innovative Program Eases Health Care Navigation for Seniors and Enhances Patient Experience
Utica Park Clinic's Senior Partner Program has been featured on Senior Class Radio on 1170 AM, KFAQ. Hear it here.
Part 1 (11 minutes, 48 seconds)
Part 2 (11 minutes, 49 seconds)
Today’s health care system can be complicated and confusing. Older patients and their families often get lost navigating through a maze of specialists and facilities. Many times family members are not available to assist patients with complex decisions and the patient’s primary care physician is usually not the physician providing care when a patient is hospitalized. This can make coordinating services frustrating for the patient and the physician.
“Understanding the special needs of our seniors while providing real time solutions is among our highest priorities,” said Dr. Jeff Galles, Medical Director for Utica Park Clinic. “As our population ages, we remain committed to doing a better job of coordinating health care resources for both the patient and their families.”
This is why the Senior Partner Program is available to all Utica Park Clinic patients age 50 years and older. The program coordinates synchronized care by providing patient advocacy, seamless access to community resources, and coordination of care after hospital discharge. Additional resources include educational seminars, home visits, nursing home and skilled nursing facility visits to evaluate patient needs, and home health and hospice assistance. The program is free to Utica Park Clinic patients.
“We want the patient and their family to know they have a place to turn when their health care needs extend beyond the doctor’s office,” said Jo Brewer, Senior Partner Program Director.
“The Senior Partner Program has been a blessing for my patients, their caregivers and my office staff,” said Debra Madaj, M.D. “Jo has a wealth of knowledge regarding community resources and has been extremely helpful and efficient in handling the needs of my patients and their caregivers.”
“I have found the Senior Partner Program to be invaluable to my patients and me since its inception,” said David Ring, D.O. “Because of the program, I am able to communicate better with my patients and their families and I’m able to keep up on how they are doing.”
Jo Brewer sees Utica Park Clinic patients at Hillcrest Medical Center, Oklahoma Heart Institute, at facilities and in nursing homes. She also works with patients utilizing the Medicare incentive programs.
“Understanding the special needs of our seniors while providing real time solutions is among our highest priorities,” said Dr. Jeff Galles, Medical Director for Utica Park Clinic. “As our population ages, we remain committed to doing a better job of coordinating health care resources for both the patient and their families.”
“We want the patient and their family to know they have a place to turn when their health care needs extend beyond the doctor’s office,” said Jo Brewer, Senior Partner Program Director.
