How Brookdale Supports Chronic Conditions Like Congestive Heart Failure

As you know, heart failure is a chronic condition that often requires diligent attention.  Nearly six million adults live with heart failure in the United States, and it’s the most common cause of hospital admissions for those over 65. Without consistent support or resources, chronic conditions can lead to bigger challenges for seniors down the road. For patients with heart failure, that could mean hypertension, pulmonary edema, pneumonia and kidney or liver damage. This can result in increased pain, decreased quality of life, unnecessary hospital visits and, in the worst case, death.

As their clinician, you do all you can to help your patient avoid another trip to the hospital. But sometimes it’s difficult for patients to manage treatment plans on their own. At Brookdale, our person-centered programs and clinical interventions encourage high levels of resident compliance. Our approach provides another level of accountability as we partner alongside patients and their physicians.

Brookdale provides evidence-based support for 11 chronic conditions:

• Heart Failure
• Diabetes
• Bone and Joint Health
• Chronic Pain
• Depression
• Palliative Partnering
• Parkinson’s
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Pulmonary Health
• Wound Care

Here’s how we do it:

Chronic condition management that closes gaps in care

When a patient suffers from multiple chronic conditions or receives care from several physicians, gaps in care can occur. To make sure we’re all on the same page, the clinical care teams at Brookdale communicate with a patient’s primary care team throughout a resident’s stay, which may include specialists and partners from ancillary services. This communication allows the resident’s service plan to reflect the clinical expertise that your patient deserves.

Responsive treatment from all angles

Our integrated, multidisciplinary teams combine the support of preventative care with monitoring of current conditions and symptoms. This approach to treatment from all angles helps us respond quickly to unusual signs and symptoms that family members may not recognize at home.

Advanced technologies to support care teams

Your patient’s medications are monitored through Electronic Medication Administration Records (eMAR) software to help maintain accuracy and compliance. We also partner with preferred pharmacies. This technology helps us promptly respond with needed interventions and to escalate changes in condition with a resident’s care team.

A proactive, whole-person approach

At Brookdale, we understand that managing chronic conditions may also involve lifestyle changes. The Nutrition-At-Risk program can be customized for each resident and may help slow the worsening of chronic conditions with low-sodium, physician-prescribed diets. Our Optimum Life® program offers opportunities for exercise, spiritual enrichment, intellectual engagement and socialization — all of which may help ease the discomfort of chronic conditions.

A partnership with you

The clinical staff at Brookdale partner alongside you in helping to manage your patient’s needs. We aim for better outcomes and fewer readmissions for residents with chronic conditions. Because, ultimately, that leads to healthier — and happier — patients.

Add a partner to your chronic conditions care team. Recommend a Brookdale community today.