Heal for America Is a Great Idea
Shape it to help the aging and frail
Yay! Heal for America (HFA) is an idea whose time may be just in time for the aging in place of boomers and seniors. No doubt you've been reading for years about Teach for America—a much-sought program for those “best and the brightest” newly minted college grads who want to inject their enthusiasm and energy into teaching in public schools, often in areas of the country where talent is most scarce. It's a prestigious and competitive program and, in some cases, helps those who might be interested in a teaching career.
In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, Dr. William Healey suggested that a similar concept could be applied to medical care delivery in the home—a brilliant idea that can be tailored to help the vast majority of elderly who want to avoid institutionalization and age in place. But as they age, they may become more frail and may not be regularly visited by family or friends. The parallel is clear: underserved youth populations and aging seniors with chronic disease. Let's clarify what needs to happen.
- First, the HFA basics of care. Dr. Healey suggested that HFA graduates could be aligned with visiting nurse organizations, trained to check on medication regimens, taught to detect signs of poor nutrition, offer nurse/doctor-provided material and advice, perhaps even check vital signs, then call and clarify physician instructions. A side and perhaps even more compelling benefit could be a visit or regular phone call with a frail, lonely, and isolated individual who needs the human contact.
- Add training for evaluating home safety. When these trained and eager young college grads are inside the home of an elderly individual, they could take a look around for warning signs. Read more. . . .
By Laurie Orlov
Aging in Place Technology Watch Blog
[Originally posted September 13, 2009, at Laurie's Aging in Place Technology Watch Web site.]
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