How Brookdale Helps Support Chronic Conditions Like Diabetes in Seniors

Because at least 75% of older adults suffer from multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously, helping residents manage chronic conditions is a critical component of our approach. Brookdale’s integrative suite of services, multidisciplinary care teams and close relationships with physicians allow us to empower, support and provide person-centered care. This is so residents can live their healthiest, fullest lives possible, while we provide evidence-based support to help residents manage these 11 chronic conditions:

• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Pulmonary health
• Stroke
• Bone and joint health
• Wound care
• Palliative partnering
• Depression
• Chronic pain
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cancer

As their physician, here’s what you can expect for your patient with diabetes when they are a resident at a Brookdale community:

1.     Individualized care plans designed to empower residents living with diabetes, which may lead to higher levels of compliance. Specialized care resources are focused on the most common chronic health needs and updated regularly to deliver quality clinical care. Care plans may include — but are not limited to — vision evaluations, skin checks, pain management, monitoring of Hgb AIC levels, medication management, specialized diets, exercise plans and access to wound care.

We embrace a proactive, whole-person approach to care, along with nonmedical interventions to help maintain or improve health. These may include exercise, nutrition and spiritual well-being. Our Optimum Life® program, which is based on six dimensions of wellness, is woven into resident programs. Residents may benefit from our B-Fit exercise program or our offerings of managing physician-prescribed diets that may help slow the worsening of chronic conditions like diabetes.

2.     Alignment with physicians and other care providers for a comprehensive approach to care. While helping residents meet goals, maintain independence and avoid unnecessary hospital stays, Brookdale’s individualized care plans reflect our collaborative approach with our residents and their physicians. Brookdale provides another level of accountability and empowers your patient to own their wellness journey to help relieve chronic diabetes symptoms. Brookdale clinicians are trained and supported by a clinical center of excellence providing leadership, expertise and resources at the local, regional and national levels.

3.     Routine health assessments and clinical interventions, which are essential to achieving positive health outcomes and helping reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions. Many diabetes complications can be preventable if found early. Routine monitoring allows us to measure changes in condition against residents’ baselines, so that we can coordinate with you to implement necessary interventions — such as a change in diet or medication — in a timely manner.

We input timely clinical responses to changes in condition through our Electronic Health Records system (PointClickCare) and manage medications through Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR). Partnerships with preferred pharmacies also strengthen our medication management program and help to minimize polypharmacy.

The clinical care teams at Brookdale help close the gaps that can occur when a patient suffers from multiple chronic conditions simultaneously. We aim to meet patients’ and residents’ needs wherever they are in their health journey. Our suite of services includes assisted living, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and access to home health, hospice and outpatient therapy.

Add a partner to your chronic conditions care team, and recommend a Brookdale community today.

^{Optimum Life is a registered trademark of Brookdale Senior Living Inc.}