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The Senior Health Center at Sparrow's St. Lawrence campus offers a variety of programs for adults age 65 and older
including Primary Care, Geriatric Assessment Center, Continence Center, Care Management and a Speakers Bureau Resource and Information Center.
The goals of the Senior Health Center are:
- Providing timely access to and assessment by primary and specialty physicians, nurse practitioner, medical social workers and physician assistant
- Promoting a healthy lifestyle through wellness and health promotion
- Ensuring communication, coordination and continuity of care throughout the health system
- Promoting quality of life and independent living in collaboration with community agencies by assisting patients and family members with the following:
- Transportation
- Financial needs
- Legal needs
- Relocation to alternative living sites such as independent living, assisted living or nursing home facility
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- Home delivered meals
- Housekeeping
- Home care nursing
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Primary Care – Primary care at the Senior Health Center provides a comprehensive range of services which include continuity of medical care, physical examinations, counseling,
health education. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners, medical social workers and physician assistants provides care in a compassionate and timely manner. If a primary care patient is hospitalized,
the Sparrow Hospitalist will greet you and follow up with the physicians at the Senior Health Center.
Geriatric Assessment Center – A team of doctors, a nurse practitioner, a social worker and a physician assistant educated in specialized services for older adult patients who may be experiencing the effects of:
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Arthritis
- Falls
- Immobility
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- Multiple medications
- Urinary incontinence
- Grief/loss
- Relocation issues
- Caregiver stress
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After completing its assessment, including a conference with the patient and family, the team sends a comprehensive report to the patient's primary physician. Referrals for Geriatric Assessment Center may come from a patient, family member, physician's office or community agency.
Caregiver Assistance – When older adults feel depressed, misuse medications, have decreased appetite, or experience memory loss, everyone is affected, including the caregiver. The stress of caregiving can cause depression or even physical illness. A Senior Health Center social worker is available to assist caregivers by linking them with support services, day care facilities, respite programs and other organizations offering programs for older adults and their families.
Staffing – The center is staffed by geriatricians, a medical social worker, nurse practitioner and physician assistant. Twenty-four hour medical call coverage is also provided. The Sparrow Family Medical Services Hospitalist cover inpatient care at the Sparrow Hospital campus for our patients.
Eligibility – Services of the Senior Health Center are available to all persons aged 65 or older. For further information or to make appointments call 517.364.7575.
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