Over 17 million Americans aged 65 and older struggle to afford basics like food, housing, and transportation, and about a quarter are socially isolated. In the coming years, these challenges may have significant impacts on the physical and mental health of our aging population. In fact, studies have shown that non-medical factors can impact up to 80% of healthcare outcomes.
Physical health, mental health, and social needs are closely connected. For example, financial struggles can lead to anxiety and depression, which can affect your heart health. Lack of access to nutritious food can make managing diabetes difficult. Without reliable transportation or phone service, visiting with your doctors or staying connected with family and friends becomes challenging. Unfortunately, some of these issues can sometimes be invisible. When healthcare organizations focus only on medical needs, they can miss crucial factors affecting a person’s longevity and quality of life.
At Commonwealth Care Alliance, we work with older adults and individuals living with disabilities, and we’ve seen the impact of these challenges firsthand. To support our members, CCA care teams partner closely with community providers and nonprofits to coordinate and deliver “whole person” health.
Addressing ALL the factors that impact health.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whole person health goes beyond treating specific diseases. It helps individuals, families, and communities improve their health in “interconnected biological, behavioral, social, and environmental areas”.
The CCA care team, made up of nurses, behavioral health clinicians, and community health workers, collaborates to create personalized care plans that address the “whole person” needs of our members. This can include assisting with affordable housing applications, scheduling transportation for medical appointments, connecting to food banks or meal delivery services, finding senior centers or volunteer opportunities, and even connecting members to legal resources for support with issues like eviction.
“By helping to address all the factors that impact health, we aim to promote healthy aging and help our members live safely and independently as long as possible,” said Nicole Cormier, CCA Senior Director of Clinical Care Partnership. In fact, CCA care teams have helped nearly 97% of members across Massachusetts who are 65 and older and nursing home certifiable remain in their own homes and communities.
Advocating for whole person health needs.
CCA care teams also help members navigate the healthcare system to break down barriers and help them access the medical, mental health, and social supports they need. “Healthcare can sometimes feel fragmented, with a variety of specialized providers and community organizations that often work in silos,” Nicole said. “Over the course of a year, our members may interact with primary care physicians, specialists, pharmacists, social workers, physical therapists, mental health providers, personal care and homemaking services, medical equipment vendors, nutritionists, and more. Delivering whole person health means advocating for our members, serving as their partners in care, and helping them connect the dots across all these services.”
Delivering whole person care also requires trust. “Developing strong rapport with our members, their families, and their communities is critical to our success,” Nicole said. “To successfully serve individuals with the most significant needs, they must trust that we’re here for them and that we understand and respect their needs, values, and preferences. Our team is passionate, and it shows in the strong relationships they form with our members. Our goal is to help those we serve age well and enjoy a better quality of life.”
Commonwealth Care Alliance is a mission-driven healthcare services organization that supports older adults and individuals with the most significant needs. Visit: ccama.org/health.