Meet new Division Chief of Geriatrics & Palliative Care at Baystate Health, Dr. Stephen Bonasera, who shares the top three ways he’s looking forward to improving care for older adults.
1. Improving Inpatient Care for Older Adults
With an older population, we need to increase our ability to reach patients and connect them with our geriatric and palliative care teams more quickly. Plus, we are strengthening our inpatient Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit at Baystate Medical Center. Serving as one of about 75 similar programs like it in the country, the ACE Unit provides a unique hospital experience for older adults to help them maintain function, strength, and mobility so they can retain independence and return home safely.
2. Providing More At-Home Care Options
We are building services to help older adults stay healthy at home. Our goal is to help keep them out of the emergency room and out of hospital rooms. Ultimately, these services save money for patients and for the institution. We will be providing better care at a lower cost.
3. Building Upon Dementia Care Services for Our Community
I’m really excited to provide high-quality dementia care to the community as director of the Memory Assessment and Care Clinic. This newly expanded clinic is a place for elders experiencing memory problems or dementia to come for a complete evaluation. We will also bring expertise to improve the care of patients and families living with dementia.
Your Support Helps Advance Care
On a final note, please know how much the power of philanthropy is reflected in the improved health, wellbeing, and quality of lives of the older adults whom we are able to reach. Medicare pays for care that we are capable of providing right now. Philanthropic dollars from endowment, bequests, or outright gifts help us build new ways to care for patients and meet the needs of the community.