Revising Healthcare Goals for the Older Patient:
And why the therapy goal of ‘previous level of function’ doesn’t go far enough.
The decline of older patients is well documented, with each subsequent injury or illness creating a new, and lower baseline. Many healthcare providers are trained to think in terms of helping a patient get back to their previous functional status.
But, what if that status was already risky to begin with?
And what if there were numerous, pre-existing risk factors that led to this most recent injury or illness; ones that routinely go unaddressed?
What if there was more we can do for a patient, who was still at risk, even though they’ve plateaued in progress? After witnessing the revolving door of the healthcare system, we’ve learned that focusing on a patient’s independence is more short-sighted than we realized.
Instead, a focus on autonomy (the ability to get daily needs met safely and consistently through various and creative
modifications) yielded far greater results, significant healthcare savings, and enhanced quality of life.
Just in terms of safety (one of the 4 main outcomes for successful patients), while exercise-based treatments are useful, task and environmental modifications had a greater and quicker impact on an older patient’s autonomy and resulted in fewer injuries after discharge.
Check out our weekly podcast hosted by Brian Harmon, PT, MBA and Jo Alch, RN with Joy Care Management.
Nexus Home Healthcare developed a proactive clinical approach proven to:
Reduce hospitalizations
Improve senior health and quality of life
Reduce medical costs to families and insurance
Contact us to inquire about our results and/or how our approach helps meet the needs of your patients and families.
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