Team of providers goes to a PACE-CNY participant’s home and coordinates care in a single visit
By Stephanie Button
The COVID-19 pandemic made in-person doctor’s visits especially complicated for older adults. PACE-CNY in Syracuse saw the need for its program participants to have access to safe yet convenient medical check-ups — and introduced Mobile Med.
This all-in-one interdisciplinary medical team of doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, as well as recreation therapists, goes to a PACE-CNY participant’s home and coordinates care in a single visit. This approach streamlines a traditionally complicated and often time-consuming visit to the office of a doctor, helps maximize care and, most importantly, keeps participants safe by keeping them in their homes.
During each visit, the Mobile Med team conducts a comprehensive and holistic assessment to ensure participants are receiving all the care they need.
A Mobile Med visit can include a range of health evaluations traditionally done at a doctor’s office, as well as functional and environmental home assessments to make sure the participant’s living environment meet his or her needs.
Not only are these at-home medical services safe and convenient, many participants are also excited to have visitors. After months of limited social interactions, simple face-to-face conversations with a real person, even if only for a couple of minutes, truly brightened up the participant’s mood and helped ease the sense of loneliness.
Loretto believes Mobile Med is more than a temporary solution — it is the future of care.
This interdisciplinary approach also provides truly unique opportunities for staff throughout the Loretto system to work together, including opportunities for frontline positions like CNAs to get new experiences. To expand this much-needed service, Loretto is actively looking to hire multiple positions across the organization. Visit www.lorettocny.org/careers for more information.
Loretto and PACE-CNY are constantly exploring new ways to expand services and grow our family — including residents, program participants and staff. While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly been a challenge, we are incredibly proud of the opportunities our team has developed to keep our residents and participants safe and happy.