Health People

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Updated: February 22, 2012 12:14PM

Manager presents Bridge Model in Philadelphia

Ilana Shure, manager of the Aging Care Connections Aging Resource Center, La Grange, provided training on the Bridge Model of Transitional Care in Philadelphia last week. Walter Rosenberg of Rush University Medical Center joined Shure representing the Illinois Transitional Care Consortium to provide training to the Philadelphia Corporation on Aging, one of the country’s largest area agencies on aging, and HealthInsight, a Utah Quality Improvement Organization.

Aging Care Connections helped develop the Bridge Model and was the first in the nation to use the concept of a community-based aging specialist on-site at the hospital to secure at-home services prior to discharge. The Aging Resource Center, established by Aging Care Connections at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital, offers older adults and their families the opportunity to explore and secure community resources and services prior to discharge from the hospital and local skilled care facilities.

On-site assessment for services, connection to information about community resources, and follow-up in the community are provided through the ARC Program to ensure a smooth transition back home. In most cases, the wait for delivery of home-based services, such as bathing and housekeeping assistance, adaptive equipment, transportation, caregiver support and respite, home delivered meals, and benefits assistance, has been cut from 14 days to an average of two days.