As many have experienced in recent months, social isolation can take a toll on a person both physically and mentally. While isolation is a new concept for some, it\u2019s an unfortunate reality that existed long before the COVID-19 outbreak for others in our communities \u2014 more specifically, for senior citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you look at life expectancy for patients that are alone at home without social support, it\u2019s significantly lower.\u201d says Zach Goodling, Director of MultiCare\u2019s Care Continuum.<\/p>\n
Zach\u2019s team consists of 30 care managers who work with more than 100,000 patients across the MultiCare system. The role of a care manager is to help keep patients healthy and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department or hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our goal as a team to engage with our patients no matter where they are in their care journey, to help them understand that journey better and to improve their health outcomes,\u201d Zach says.<\/p>\n
With the added complications and risks associated with COVID-19, the Care Continuum team needed to figure out how to stay in touch with patients and their needs virtually. They turned to MultiCare Connected Care for help \u2013 a team focused on population health including preventive care along with MultiCare Volunteer Services. Together, they devised a program to reduce isolation and improve health outcomes through simple, weekly phone calls to isolated seniors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the goal of population health \u2014 to address the health outcomes of a group of individuals and keep vulnerable populations safe and well. So far, volunteers have been able to connect some seniors, who are struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide, with assistance,\u201d Michelle Sabia, Program Manager for MultiCare Connected Care, explains.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how it works: A volunteer calls a senior who has consented to receiving phone calls and simply lends an ear. They discuss any health concerns that the senior would like reported back to their care manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe calls allow us to listen to the seniors and show that we care about them and their needs,\u201d Alissa Rooks, Senior Member Services Community Coordinator, explains. \u201cCommunicating the seniors\u2019 concerns to the Care Management team adds an additional support for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The volunteer provides weekly reports to care managers about different things they\u2019ve heard from the patient, if the concern is immediate, the volunteer reports back that day. These reports can be anything from physical pain clients are experiencing to suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsolation, especially in our current situation, is really affecting people emotionally and mentally. Because of social restrictions due to the pandemic, people miss connecting with people through their regular activities.,\u201d Fiona Mudgett, MultiCare Hospice Volunteer Services Program Coordinator, says. \u201cSince we\u2019ve started our calls, I\u2019ve talked to several clients who\u2019ve expressed frustration because of the outbreak.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alissa and Fiona are piloting the program and are now recruiting volunteers. They say it\u2019s an easy way for people to care for others within the safety of their own homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ambulatory care navigators are all really enjoying the program because they want to help their patients and there\u2019s not always an outlet to do so,\u201d Michelle says. \u201cEspecially when it comes to mental health. A lot of times they know that their patients have needs, but they don\u2019t have a place to refer them. Now they do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Based on feedback they\u2019ve received so far, those on the receiving end of the calls are loving it.<\/p>\n
“I’m happy to get a call; sometimes my phone doesn’t ring for days,\u201d one client says.<\/p>\n
Another expressed her gratitude to the staff member who called her.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the call, a client told me she thought it was an awesome idea and she was amazed that MultiCare offered something this great,\u201d the staff member said. \u201cShe had sisters north of Seattle who are now complaining because their health care organizations don\u2019t offer anything like this. She thanked me profusely and said she\u2019s looking forward to getting another call again next week.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the program was prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak, the teams involved hope it will extend and grow well beyond the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrograms like this show that MultiCare is a robust community partner; that we are willing to go above and beyond traditional health care where you go to the hospital and then you go home,\u201d Zach says. \u201cWe want the patients to know that we are here for them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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