Personalized, coordinated, convenient care for home-bound elderly patients

All individuals, regardless of age, have unique health care needs. But as we grow older, these needs become much more complicated as multiple medical problems require treatment from a number of different specialists. And, many elderly patients have physical disabilities that make traveling to a doctor’s office difficult or even impossible.

At The St. Luke Hospitals, we believe that such homebound older adults need health care that is coordinated, comprehensive, compassionate and easily accessible. We also believe that family members need a great deal of support while coping with the overwhelming demands of care giving. That’s why we created the Medical House Call Program.

What is the Medical House Call Program?

The St. Luke Hospitals Medical House Call Program provides coordinated, compassionate, personalized care for elderly patients in the convenience of their own homes. Our physicians and nurse practitioners visit each patient at home once a month, or more frequently as needed, to provide health services such as blood pressure monitoring, administration of medications or vaccines, blood draws, EKGs, and much more. In addition, we help patients and caregivers understand and find solutions to the medical, emotional and social challenges commonly associated with aging. We also educate and counsel family members by helping them find the skills and services they need to balance caring for an older relative with caring for themselves.

Who provides the health care?

Each patient is assigned a care team that includes a board-certified physician and nurse practitioner, both specifically trained in working with the special concerns of older adults. Regular home visits allow the physician and nurse practitioner to interact on a more personal level and form strong relationships with patients and family members. The care team, using a holistic approach to care, considers the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and family members.

The care team also includes a coordinator, who schedules the patient's appointments and tests, coordinates transportation needs and provides regular communication about these issues to the patient's physician and nurse practitioner. This overall coordination provides patients with a seamless care plan and helps ease the amount of stress and responsibility often faced by caregivers. 

What if the patient requires hospital services?

If the elderly patient requires hospitalization or outpatient hospital services, we also coordinate this process so that no disruption in care occurs. In this situation, patients are treated in a dedicated geriatrics unit at The St. Luke Hospital West in Florence, Kentucky. St. Luke offers a complete host of services for older adults, including psychiatry, medical and surgical services. If the patient requires admission to the hospital, the Medical House Call team will visit the patient during his or her stay. 

More Information

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the Medical House Call Program with your further.  For more information, or to find out if this program is right for you or your loved one, please call us at 859-212-4601.