By the year 2030, adults aged 65 and older are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. As we age, physical and cognitive function can decline and pain becomes more prevalent, impacting healthy aging and quality of life. Adults aged 65+ may also have more complex medication regimens.
Consider the best practices outlined below to assist your patients in the process of aging healthfully:
- Incorporate a standardized template to capture functional status, pain status, and any medications taken for members 65 years of age and older. Examples are the Katz Index of Independence in ADL’s and, The Faces Pain Scale (FPS). FPS is effective with older adults in clinical assessment of pain intensity.
- Complete a functional status assessment and pain assessment at every face-to-face and telehealth visit.
- Ensure a medication list is present in the medical record.
- Document in the medical record if the member is not taking any medication.
Sept. 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day and you should be aware of the growing population of older adults living with HIV/AIDS and consider the additional challenges they face. It is important to remember to keep track of their viral loads. If you have a member who needs additional assistance, our HIV/AIDS Program is here to help. Other Care/Case Management programs available to help all our aging members include:
- Care for the Older Adult Program
- Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Program
- Special Needs Program
- Medication Therapy Management Program
- Complex Case Management Program
- Transitions of Care
See EmblemHealth’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for recommendations to assist with the management of these conditions, which are prevalent in older populations:
- HIV/AIDS
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Urinary Incontinence
- Stroke Prevention
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia
