A former bartender, Marco, 78, was recently released from hospital following symptoms of a UTI. Coach Priscilla conducted a medication review, a psycho-social assessment and a home safety review. She recommended to Marco that grab bars be installed in the shower, but neither Marco nor his wife wanted to pursue the suggestion at this time.
Priscilla also provided an advance directive packet and reviewed the contents with Marco and his wife. While following up a couple of weeks later, Priscilla was made aware that the packet had been lost and has provided Marco with a new set of forms. “Marco needs assistance with learning to manage his weight and exercise needs,” explains Priscilla. “I gave him contact details for a Spanish-language health self-management program, and provided him with information on how to enroll in a Silver Sneakers program.”
Pricilla recently checked back in with Marco. He is now exercising in his local park and he and his wife have filled in the advance directive forms and are taking them to Marco’s PCP on his next visit. Marco also reported that he has lost weight and is feeling stronger than he did previously.
Partners in Care Foundation uses “patient activation” models of health coaching to provide tailored support dependent on a patient’s knowledge, skills, ability, and willingness to manage his or her own health and care. Some patients are self-starters and all they need is connection to resources, while others need information, motivation and follow-up to close the gap. Here is the ninth of a series of stories about patients who have received health coaching over recent months. All names have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.
