Background
Healthcare and community collaborations have the potential to address health-related social needs. We examined the implementation of an educational initiative and collaborative intervention between a geriatric clinic and Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to enhance age-friendly care for a Hispanic patient population.
Methods
As part of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, a geriatric clinic partnered with AAA to embed an English- and Spanish-speaking Social Service Coordinator (SSC). The SSC met with patients during new and annual visits or by referral to address What Matters and Mentation in the patient’s primary language, provide education, and make social service referrals. Patients aged 60 and older, who received SSC services during a 12-month period, were defined as the intervention group (n = 112). Using a retrospective chart review, we compared them to a non-intervention group (n = 228) that received primary care. We examined available demographic and clinical data within the age-friendly areas of What Matters and Mentation. Measures included cognitive health screenings, advance care planning, patient education, and community referrals.
Results
Most of the intervention groups were eligible for AAA services and had the opportunity for service referrals to address identified needs. A higher proportion of patients within the intervention group completed screenings for cognitive health and advance care planning discussions.
Conclusion
Interagency partnerships between ambulatory care settings and community-based organizations have the potential to expand access to linguistically and culturally competent age-friendly primary care for older adults.