The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is launching a pilot program to help doctors connect seniors with diabetes to evidence-based education and wellness support -- right in their local community.
The program, in partnership with sanofi-aventis U.S., the Baltimore County Department of Aging (BCDA), and the John A. Hartford Foundation, is called Community Connections to Aging Well (CCAW). Financial support is provided by sanofi-aventis U.S.
"In Baltimore County alone, there are an estimated 35,000 adults over 60 living with diabetes," said Ethel Rasmussen of the Baltimore County Department of Aging. "Community Connections to Aging Well will link physicians and patients to effective, evidence-based health programs that already exist at their local senior centers. These programs will help them better manage their disease and improve their health."
Self-help
Field representatives from sanofi-aventis U.S. will provide physicians and staff with important information on how to link their patients to CCAW programs. Patients can be referred to eight of the BCDA's 20 senior centers to participate in an evidence-based chronic disease self-management workshop, as well as educational seminars, fitness, nutrition, and medication management workshops. NCOA will coordinate the launch and evaluate the pilot program's effectiveness.
If successful, NCOA and sanofi-aventis plan to expand the program in several other U.S. cities.
"NCOA is a leader in development and implementation of evidence-based and community education programs that have proven they can improve diabetes awareness and help seniors make healthy lifestyle changes," said Rachel Couchenour, director of External Affairs for sanofi-aventis, U.S. "Through this partnership, we can link Baltimore County Medicare patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes to helpful programming right in their community. CCAW will help address one of the largest and fastest-growing health problems in the U.S."
James Firman, PhD, president and CEO of NCOA, says the program provides "a unique link" to community resources that can help older adults be more effective partners in their care. "We hope that success in Baltimore will lead to opportunities to empower older adults across the county to share in the management of their health care."
Chronic health crisis
More than 12.2 million adults over 60 have diabetes, and an additional 14.7 million are estimated to have pre-diabetes indicators. For the last three years, NCOA has led a diabetes community education program called Connect The Dots that has been proven to raise awareness of diabetes and hypertension.
The program encourages older adults to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, such as making healthier eating choices, exercising, and accessing preventative benefits through Medicare for diabetes management, such as glucose monitors and testing strips.
How CCAW Works
The CCAW program is launching at eight senior centers during October. Sanofi-aventis field representatives will introduce the program to community physicians, and discuss the process for referring patients who could benefit most from the programming.
Patients who receive a referral from their doctors can register for evidence-based chronic disease self-management or diabetes training programs that will include weekly classes on nutrition, medication management, physical activity, and support in managing their disease.
Participants will also be eligible to participate in many other health and wellness programs offered at participating Baltimore County Senior Centers.
