The senior residence where I live has a new service. It's called Physician Housecalls. I recently signed up, have met the physician, and she is going to come for a follow-up visit with her PA next month. This physician also works with your primary care physician.

Another service is an inhouse dental clinic. I don't know anything about that one.

A third one is a footcare clinic. A Podiatrist cuts toenails of diabetics, saving a trip to a Podiatrist.

I love where I live.

Here in the midwest, we have a group of senior residences called Bickford House, Bickford Cottage, etc and they are organized like this too. You are right - this is so convenient for the residents.

We are starting to see more and more docs doing house calls. It's a good thing!

I think this is so wonderful. Too bad it isn't available for everyone. Maybe someday, since the population is aging.....

We have 5 house call groups in Philly area ... One is NP run, others physician run. They provide a valuable service to homebound patients. One in particular calls in our homecare agency for indepth instruction. Kudos to those keeping people OUT of hospitals today.

i didn't know any of this.

this is WONDERFUL!!

i wonder if this is covered amongst the major insurance co's...

congrats, fran!:balloons:

there is finally hope for those w/o access to their hcp's.:wshgrt:

i'm excited.

leslie:)

What a great service. I would think this would give the HCP a more (not sure if this is the right way to say it) holistic view of the patient if primary care HCPs were to do more house calls.

i didn't know any of this.

this is WONDERFUL!!

i wonder if this is covered amongst the major insurance co's...

congrats, fran!:balloons:

there is finally hope for those w/o access to their hcp's.:wshgrt:

i'm excited.

leslie:)

Leslie, in response to your post, Pennsylvania has a huge senior citizen population. In my area alone, it has been publicised as one of the top retiremant communities in the US.

Our state lottery system provides senior services and supports this all the way. It is a wonderful asset for those of us who are seniors, and difficult for us to get around.

Personally, I don't have access to private transportation, but do have access to public transportation. The service I use is a county based service funded by the state, but only runs M-F not including holidays.

When I first began using the service, it was one of the best known secrets in the county, but word soon got around and what was once available on a one day notice, has now grown to where I now have to book my trips well in advance, or there is nothing available.

Given this fact, I am very happy this service is now available. As Karen stated, there are now several homecare agencies based in Philadelphia. There are several located in State College where I live also. I have a choice of which agency I may sign up with via an RN, who is in charge of that area of our senior service agency. There is even a current apeal for volunteers for the position of ombudsmen who monitor the care given in homes.

As stated earlier, I now have an inhouse personal care physician who works with my primary care physician, and always comes with her PA to provide the care I need. How much better can this get for people in my position?

I so dislike being hospitalized. It got very old a long time ago. Many times my health had declined due to lack of communication between staff when I was transferred to different units. For example, I went into acute kidney failure because an aide raised the head of my bed into the high fowlers position when I wasn't even able to even raise my head without passing out. Another example is when a very loud nurse manager was monitoring the decline of an 8 yo boy who had been seriously injured in an MVA and was in grave condition. She very loudly pronounded his death. I could give you so many more, but I believe I have provided enough info here to show you why I dislike being hospitalized unless there is no other way.

And yes, this is one of the most wonderful parts to the plan. All insurances are accepted.

We have 5 house call groups in Philly area ... One is NP run, others physician run. They provide a valuable service to homebound patients. One in particular calls in our homecare agency for indepth instruction. Kudos to those keeping people OUT of hospitals today.

Karen, since I now need daily care, I am so thankful these services are available locally. I hope this catches on quickly, and spreads like wildfire. This service is a definite need. Thank you for your reply.

There are a couple of these services where my parents live, in Staten Island. It's growing, and is wonderful for those who want to keep non-ambulatory loved ones home.

There are a couple of these services where my parents live, in Staten Island. It's growing, and is wonderful for those who want to keep non-ambulatory loved ones home.

I completely agree. Thankfully this type of service is now available.

Also - in my area (central IL) we have home visits for hospice pts by an MD.

That's awesome!!! I'm now looking forward to hospice care in one's own home for those who can't afford private hospice care.