KCIM Making Progress On Goal Of Becoming A SENIOR CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Post written by Lori A. Mallory, CEO, Kansas City Internal Medicine
I have been so blessed lately to be working with some great partners in developing strategies for our “senior” patients. (The term “senior” is one we have discussed often, We have heard from a diverse group of seniors age 65 + and they vary as to the preferred term of “seniors” vs. “mature” vs. “elders.”) For the most part, they just really want to be respected. That is easy from my perspective because where else can you find those who have literally paved the way and who now have the wisdom of life’s lessons?
During this time, I have had the opportunity to spend valuable time with some “elders” (their preferred term) at Villa Ventura Independent and Assisted Living in the heart of Kansas City. We discussed their “wish list” for physicians and those who provide similar services to their population. Their input included valuable guidance on slowing down, listening, and treating them holistically.
They hope for longer appointments and would really love access after hours to a nurse who can help them with minor issues that arise after office hours. It was FANTASTIC and USEFUL information. We will indeed be putting their thoughts into action.
Kansas City Internal Medicine (KCIM) has a strong patient population of those age 65+ and we cherish those relationships. As the Baby Booomers age, our goal is to be prepared to offer the very best service to our patients in that category.
As with any other business goal, this takes intentional planning. We have initiated a Senior Center of Excellence committee, composed of our geriatric physicians, Dr. Marie Delcambre, Dr. Janis Steinbrecher, Dr. Jonathan Gendel, Dr. Lynne Kallenbach and Dr. Mary Buss.
In addition, our Director of our Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant team, Carol Harrington, ARNP and Courtney File, ARNP who is a key provider at our John Knox Village/Murray Road location.
This committee is tasked with leading KCIM to achieve SENIOR CENTER OF EXCELLENCE status. Here are some of the outcomes of our work toward that effort:
1.) At Risk Senior Assessment: This assessment is a visit to our office where our provider team completes a comprehensive assessment of the functional status and quality of life of the patient. They focus on the 5 “i’s” of geriatrics:
- Intellectual Impairment
- Immobility
- Instability
- Incontinence
- Iatrogenic Disorders
These cover the major issues of falls and driving capabilities. Families are really appreciating this new service and we are thrilled with the initial response. This is important work!
2.) All Staff “Senior Sensitivity” Training: Each of our team members will undergo specific training on working and serving seniors. This includes everything from slowing down in talking and walking, to understanding what is might look and feel like to have arthritis, dementia or other common issues seniors face.
3.) Evaluation of the ability to offer in-home health care services to our patients.
4.) Educational programming for seniors and their families. We are planning on providing, in all of our locations, a special program offered by a partnership with the Benton House, a new assisted and memory care center in Lee’s Summit, MO, called “The Five Biggest Challenges Facing Seniors and How Families Can Help.” This is only the beginning of what we plan to offer but it’s a great start and we are looking forward to high levels of participation.
At the risk of running too long, I will stop there. I hope that you can read through the passion and excitement that we have when we talk about our patients and what we hope to provide them with! If you have additional ideas, information, etc., or have a parent or friend who might, I’d love to hear it and share it with our team. Please feel free to reach out by email at lmallory@kcim.com!
