For years, senior living communities have been the go-to option for older adults who require assistance with daily living. While these communities offer a range of amenities and services, they often lack the medical support necessary to address complex health conditions.
The current paradigm of senior living communities is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of today's aging population. Instead, we need to transform senior living from the traditional community model to a full hospital-at-home model that offers membership, additional support, physician services, food and on-demand services, as well as friendship and social and life engagement .
This transformation requires collaboration between health plans, hospitals, and amenities and services providers to offer comprehensive care that meets the needs of older adults. Telehealth must also be a part of this equation to ensure access to care from the comfort of one's home.
The hospital-at-home model provides several benefits, including increased access to medical care and support, reduced hospitalizations and readmissions, and improved quality of life for older adults.
With the hospital-at-home model, older adults receive care from trained medical professionals in their own homes. This includes physician services, medication management, and other medical support as needed. It also includes on-demand services such as transportation and meal delivery.
In addition to medical support, the hospital-at-home model also offers social engagement and enrichment programs to help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life. This includes activities such as exercise classes, cultural events, and social gatherings. The hospital-at-home model also addresses the issue of long move-in times associated with traditional senior living communities. With the hospital-at-home model, older adults can enroll in the program at the time of medical advantage enrollment, ensuring timely access to the care and support they need.
The hospital-at-home model also provides an opportunity for health plans, hospitals, and amenities and services providers to work together to offer a comprehensive care package. This collaboration can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs, benefiting both patients and providers.
However, for this model to be successful, it must be more than just about real estate. It must focus on providing comprehensive care and support for older adults in their own homes if they choose so or modify it or building a care transition plan for the real estate downsizing if desired or necessary. This requires a shift in mindset and a willingness to collaborate across different sectors of the healthcare industry.
In conclusion, the hospital-at-home model represents a significant shift in the way we think about senior living. By offering comprehensive medical support, social engagement and enrichment programs, and on-demand services, we can improve the quality of life for older adults and reduce healthcare costs. This model requires collaboration between health plans, hospitals, and amenities and services providers, and a focus on providing comprehensive care and support for older adults in their own homes. As we look to the future of senior living, we must embrace this new paradigm and work together to ensure that older adults receive the care and support they need to age with dignity and independence.