While primary care providers (PCPs) can continue to treat adults later in life, senior-focused primary care is on the rise. This approach to primary care could help older patients receive more comprehensive and specialized visits.
Whether you’re interested in these clinics or curious about how you can support older adults, this guide will provide everything you need to know.
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Senior-Focused Primary Care Bridges the Gap
Senior-focused primary care is slightly different from geriatric visits. While geriatric doctors are a crucial part of the health system, the number of older patients far exceeds the number of these providers.
To help combat this issue, many doctors and health clinics are implementing a senior-focused perspective. Physicians in these settings have specific training that allows them to treat older adults.
In general, senior-focused primary care also emphasizes a team-oriented approach. You’ll work with a whole group of providers, including:
- Nurses
- Case managers
- Pharmacists
- Social workers
The goal is to cover all the patient’s needs from physical, mental and socioeconomic standpoints. By working as a team, a senior-focused model allows you and your fellow providers to spend more time with your patients so you can better understand their needs.
How Primary Care for Seniors Helps Physicians
This new model may even make your job easier. Since senior-focused care brings together a team of medical professionals, you may have quite a bit taken off your plate.
For example, while you may notice your patient needs more care than you can provide, you alone may not have the resources to help them in a traditional primary care setting. In this model, you do. Other trained professionals are easily accessible to both you and the patient.
Medicare Advantage (MA)
How did senior-focused care come about? It’s a result of Humana’s decision to create a new type of senior medicine using MA population-based payments. One study showed that patients visiting this type of practice received 17% more doctor visits than those in standard models.
Additionally, patients enrolled in MA programs who received senior-focused primary care had:
- 39% more visits among Black individuals
- 21% more visits among low-income populations
These numbers indicate movement toward a reduction in health disparities.
New Legislation
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded several medical education providers with grants totaling over $200 million.
This investment, called the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, will train PCPs, nurse practitioners and other health workers to provide care to older adults.
With new funding, more providers will have access to the specialized training they need to provide senior-focused appointments.
Expand Your Knowledge About Primary Care for Seniors With Continuing Medical Education
If you’re ready to provide more specialized care to your older patients, look no further than CME. Learn about the latest medical advances, brush up on best practices and network with other physicians with in-person or online CME.