Chronic diseases, such as asthma, COPD, depression, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension (high blood pressure), are some of the most prevalent, costly, yet avoidable ailments impacting the health of senior Americans. These conditions account for seven of the top 10 causes of death in the United States and 86 percent of the nation’s annual healthcare spending.
This is why chronic disease management is one of healthcare’s greatest challenges and urgent priorities.
At Palm Medical Centers, we have been bringing genuine kindness to senior primary care for more than a decade, and our expertise in supporting patients with long-term conditions in a clinic setting is one of the hallmarks of our premier service.
Chronic Disease Management Done Right
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 29 million Americans are currently living with diabetes, while another 84 million are prediabetic. And that’s just those who have been diagnosed and are being treated. As a result, diabetes accounts for over 20 percent of healthcare spending.
At Palm Medical Centers, our board-certified primary care physicians (PCPs) and in-house specialists work to engage and educate our diabetic patients about their medications as part of a personalized adherence plan. Our providers also coordinate pharmacy and other health resources to improve adherence and help patients stay on track with their therapies and make healthy food and lifestyle choices, thus reducing preventable hospitalizations and overall healthcare costs.
This same personalized, proactive, and preventive approach is used to treat and manage other chronic diseases, including:
- Hypertension – One out of every three American adults has high blood pressure, correlated with heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death. At Palm Medical Centers, we use team-based care that includes the patient, their PCP, our pharmacy, and other health care providers to reduce and control blood pressure.
- Asthma and COPD – Asthma affects an estimated 25 million Americans, and more than 15 million have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Environmental factors often exacerbate these conditions. At Palm Medical Centers, our providers not only diagnose these conditions but also our concierge case management and clinical care managers offer one-on-one, personalized assistance and guidance to patients to ensure the quality of their care, reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes, and improve their health and wellbeing.
- Depression – Millions of American adults are afflicted with mood disorders associated with higher rates of chronic disease. Research shows that integrated care delivery that accounts for a patient’s physical and mental health can improve mental health outcomes significantly. At Palm Medical Centers, we offer in-house, specialized psychiatric care for patients with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. Appropriate psychiatric care can help patients sleep better, reduce their pain and other symptoms, experience improved relations with their loved ones, and generally improve their quality of life.
Chronic Disease Management in South and Central Florida
Most senior adults have at least one chronic illness, and senior-focused primary care is their first line of defense in managing their symptoms so they can enjoy their lives. At Palm Medical Centers, our board-certified primary care physicians and in-house specialists are here to provide you or a loved one with chronic disease management.
To learn more, contact us today at (833) 500-PALM (7256). If you are new to Palm Medical Centers, find out more about becoming a patient with us. For your convenience, we have multiple locations throughout Central and South Florida, and our friendly and accommodating staff looks forward to your visit.
