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P2‐437: The Geriatric HearCare Services as an example of integrated “pathway” in case‐ and care management for hearing‐impaired and/or demented patients
Author(s) -
DeckerMaruska Mechthild,
Lerch Michael
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.05.1309
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , technician , service (business) , audiology , cognition , cognitive impairment , psychiatry , electrical engineering , disease , economy , pathology , engineering , economics
Purpose Initiation of an multimodal, customer focused service network across the service sectors for multimorbid patients: for example the hard-of-hearing. Context The lack in accessibility of services, flexibility of appointments and handicap-oriented communication skills often prevents the geriatric patient from partaking in the medical services offered. The geriatric hearcare service and its care for the hard-of-hearing outlines the possibilities of an integrated, multimodal setting at all levels of care for these patients. Data source The scientific evaluation of >2000 hard-of-hearing patients in geriatric care from 2002 to 2008. Case description Upon standardized admission patients are screened for a history in hard-of-hearing. Organised and accompanied by a specially trained hearcare-nurse, a patient with a possible auditive decline is then seen by an ENT and hearing-aid technician for examination and audiometry. The patient is then seen by an neuropsychologist for a cognitive evaluation. After these tests, documented by the hearcare-nurse, the patient and his next-of-kin are informed of the outcome, the treatment options and follow-up in the out-patient setting. Conclusion and discussion The integration of services across sectors of care and the provided co-ordination leads to a higher degree of customer satisfaction, a lesser rate of cases of hard-of-hearing missed and better continuity in care on a long-term basis.