Leveraging resources improves care for seniors.

Wishard-Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis has developed the Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (GRACE) program in which hospital geriatricians collaborate with primary care providers to ensure that the elderly get the care they need. Patients in the program are evaluated in the home by a nurse practitioner and social worker who report back to a multidisciplinary geriatric team and develop a treatment plan. They share the plan with the patient's primary care provider, who can make changes and ultimately has final approval. They spend time with the patient and family members to discuss the plan and goals and go over the patient's medication regimen.