Efforts to aid low-income seniors garners praise from nationwide healthcare community
July 24, 2008
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Intended to improve the quality of care for low-income seniors in Indianapolis, Wishard Health Services’ Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (GRACE) Program was recently recognized by the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH) with the distinguished Chair Award, presented at the 2008 NAPH Safety Net Awards during their annual conference in Santa Fe, NM. The Chair Award, NAPH’S top award, recognizes an organization for exceptional work in addressing the needs of the underserved.
“We are deeply touched to receive this prestigious award in recognition of the GRACE program and how it better meets the needs of our older patients. For each member of the GRACE team, this is a great honor,” said Dr. Steven R. Counsell, GRACE medical director, Wishard Health Services and Mary Elizabeth Mitchell Professor, director of geriatrics for the Indiana University School of Medicine.
Founded in 2002, GRACE was designed as a practical, innovative model of primary care where vulnerable seniors benefit from a comprehensive team approach to healthcare and care coordination. For five years, the GRACE study followed nearly 500 patients age 65 or older who received care at Wishard Health Services. The model developed from the study has since become an ongoing service for Wishard geriatric patients.
“I’m grateful for the vision and commitment of our Senior Care leadership and proud of our GRACE team as they work to address the needs of our community’s vulnerable older adults,” said Dr. Lisa E. Harris, chief executive officer and medical director for Wishard Health Services. “The GRACE program represents yet one more enormous contribution to the overall strength of our comprehensive Senior Care Program.”
GRACE supports eight community-based health centers and helps provide primary care to the 6,000 adults age 65 and older who look to Wishard Health Services for their healthcare.
GRACE utilizes a wholistic approach that addresses the entirety of the older patient’s health status with the primary care physician aided by a geriatrics nurse practitioner and social worker who provide home-based care management.
“The specific aims of GRACE are to improve quality of care for common geriatric conditions such as falls and depression, optimize functional status and independence, and decrease unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations,” Dr. Counsell said.
The Safety Net Awards, NAPH’s premier recognition program, honors member hospitals and health systems that have designed and implemented creative and successful programs and activities to meet the needs of their communities. NAPH represents over 100 hospitals and health systems that together comprise the essential infrastructure of America’s largest metropolitan health systems. During its nearly 30-year history, the association has made significant strides in educating federal, state and local decision makers about the unique challenges faced by member hospitals and the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
In 2005, the Palliative Care Program at Wishard was recognized by NAPH with the Jim Wright Vulnerable Populations Award, a special award in memory of Jim Wright, who made great contributions to help serve the needs of the underserved.