By William Russell, MD
Older adults have greater needs than their younger counterparts when it comes to primary care, and Conviva Care Centers offer care tailored just for them. Focused on delivering goal-directed health care tailored specifically to seniors through a value-based model, Conviva consistently drives meaningful impact for the 65-and-older communities it serves.
Since opening our doors more than 50 years ago, Conviva has uniquely maintained a commitment to improved health outcomes, which we credit to the strong connections we establish with our patients. Compared to other providers with higher patient counts, Conviva Care Centers schedule appointments with up to 50% more time for our doctors and nurse practitioners to foster one-on-one relationships with patients, fully understand their personal needs and thoughtfully work toward necessary treatments and healthy lifestyle solutions.
This approach results in a shared sense of unity, purpose and trust. Medical issues can become complicated with age. Our approach is designed to produce better outcomes, thanks to our network’s convenient same-day access and the expertise our staff brings to primary care intervention.
Not Just Another Patient
To be successful, care must begin with a twofold question posed to each patient: What are your goals, and how can we help you achieve those goals along your specific health journey? At Conviva we prioritize health care goals built around each patient’s specific needs.
Whereas younger patients focus on longevity, seniors turn to trustworthy medical professionals to help them maintain independence. Older individuals are often dealing with emotional, cognitive and nutritional issues, as well as physical limitations. The combination adds up to a complicated health picture requiring specialized medical care. These patients feel more comfortable with care delivered by doctors they know they can count on, and at Conviva our patients enjoy those vital connections with our professional medical teams.
Noted 20th Century Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung famously said, “The shoe that fits one person pinches another.” Senior-focused care is the same, which is why our physician-patient relationships are the cornerstone of the care we provide. Our team takes pride in assessing each patient’s emotional and social needs while connecting them to community resources to help them lead healthier lives. For example, a knee replacement may help a person continue to walk, but for some older adults that operation can mean long-term lifestyle changes. Some older patients may opt to remain independent and function at their own pace, and our physicians take that into consideration when setting care goals and delivering care and consultation.
Senior Care Trends in South Florida
Together with its sister brand, CenterWell Senior Primary Care, Conviva serves seniors at approximately 300 locations across 15 states, including many here in South Florida.
The University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research predicts that by 2030, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties combined will be home to more than 13 million seniors. These folks require senior-focused primary care. As such, Conviva maintains a presence in these key regions to reach populations of seniors in need of proper and personalized care. Seniors today are increasingly aging in place and maintaining their independence for longer than past generations. We offer activity centers where seniors have the opportunity to socialize with others and actively engage their minds. Educational sessions help them learn how to use new technology and video chat with family, while group exercises like yoga or tai chi and games like bingo reduce stress while keeping them active and having conversations with their peers.
A Benefit to Low-Income Patients
A recent study in Health Affairs from Humana and Harvard University shows that senior-focused primary care can improve access to health care among people of color and low-income families. Conviva makes every effort to provide the underserved with affordable, accessible care. One of Conviva’s many strengths is the wealth of knowledge and experience our physicians bring in treating underserved communities. We understand the fear and financial insecurities some seniors feel, and we are dedicated to serving them to the best of our abilities, and with kindness and commitment to quality care.
Using a care-team approach, spending more time with patients, and embracing the value-based health care model enables Conviva’s physicians and nurse practitioners to practice medicine how they always imagined in medical school. The proven approach establishes a meaningful connection between patients and their healthcare providers, resulting in trust and the care that benefits patients most.
Dr. William Russell is Division Chief Medical Officer at Conviva and CenterWell, Florida. To learn more about Conviva Care Center, visit www.convivacarecenters.com.
