Massachusetts Company Helps New Generation of Seniors Live Independently at Home
Author
Thomas Wiest
CEO, Aspirience Home Care
According to US Census data, by the year 2030, there will be 70 million people over the age of 65. Many of today’s seniors are living with multiple chronic conditions — such as high blood pressure and diabetes — of which proper management is imperative to avoid an acute episode that could force people to have to move out of their homes. Even managing their medications is a concern for older adults, with medication errors accounting for nearly one-fourth of nursing home admissions and one-third of hospitalizations for seniors.
To help seniors stay in the homes they know and love, a Massachusetts company, Dovetail Health (www.dovetailhealth.com), has developed an in-home care management model that takes into account the reasons why seniors often have to move into care facilities — medication errors, deteriorating chronic illnesses, and falls and injuries. The result is a service that combines personal care assistance with easy-to-use technology. Starting with an in-home assessment by a registered nurse, Dovetail creates a comprehensive, personalized care plan for the client’s health and medication management.
The nurse remains at the heart of the Dovetail care team throughout the year, calling clients regularly and performing in-home follow-up visits (much like what we do). Personal care assistants are available to clients to provide health and lifestyle referrals that help seniors live safely and well at home.
Dovetail clients and their assigned care team are also supported by simple technology from Philips Electronics, which monitors clients’ weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar. This information is reviewed by the Dovetail nurse, helping her assess client progress and detect problems before they become emergencies. The in-home device is also tailored to send messages, health and wellness tips, and reminders to each client about their medications, exercises, and other health-related needs.
The company does not take the place of older adults’ physicians or caregivers, including their adult children. Instead, through personal contact from the care team and telemonitoring, Dovetail strengthens these relationships by collecting and summarizing valuable information about a client’s health needs and status. With client approval, Dovetail shares this information with designated providers and caregivers, helping them to both remotely and confidently monitor the older adult’s well-being.
“With Dovetail, everyone benefits,” said Stever Aubrey, CEO and Managing Partner, Dovetail Health. “Seniors stay healthy and are confident about their decision to live at home. Their children feel less worried, and their doctors get the information they need to make informed care decisions.”
Dovetail Health hopes to make it possible for seniors to fulfill their desire to live independently in their later years, despite certain health conditions. The company has created a new way for seniors to remain in their own homes with hope and dignity. For many, this will defer the need, worry and expense of moving into a senior care facility.
It’s important to know, as care needs continue to rise, it’s nice to know you can stay at home.