South Side Collaborative Network Reaches Out to Chicago's 50+ Community
CHICAGO, July 23,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Better Aging
(CBA) at St. Bernard Hospital on July
23 will begin providing healthcare services for older adults
on the South Side. Notable speakers will participate in a
10 a.m. press conference at the
center's location in the St. Bernard Hospital Ambulatory Care
Center, 6307 S. Stewart Ave.
The Center for Better Aging is dedicated to achieving equitable
health outcomes for lifelong well-being. Based in the Englewood
community, CBA provides adults aged 50 and older with convenient
access to primary care, wellness education, and social services.
The center is an Illinois Healthcare Transformation Collaborative,
with state funding through the Department of Healthcare and Family
Services (HFS), empowering its community efforts to lift social
barriers to longevity and quality of life.
"We have a responsibility to take care of our
oldest Illinoisans, and for far too long the South Side has
lacked adequate care for this community," said Governor JB
Pritzker. "The establishment of the CBA is a crucial step in
addressing care shortages and ensuring everyone has the right to
age with dignity and support."
Distinguished guests at the center's dedication will include
Acting HFS Director Elizabeth M.
Whitehorn; Senator Mattie
Hunter, Assistant Majority Leader, Illinois General Assembly
(3rd District); Dr. Geraldine Luna,
Medical Director of the Chicago Department of Public Health; and
Alderman Jeanette B. Taylor Chicago's 20th Ward.
"The Center for Better Aging is a forward-looking collaboration
among providers to make quality care for older adults more
accessible and effective," Acting HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn said. "By making preventive
care available to all, we can make meaningful progress toward two
of HFS' top priorities: bettering health outcomes for Illinoisans
and improving equity within the healthcare system."
St. Bernard Hospital Campus Puts Quality Care in One
Place
The Center for Better Aging helps address the shortage of aging
care practitioners on the South Side. In the majority of South Side
neighborhoods, the ratio of primary care providers to residents is
less than half of the Chicago
average, according to American Medical Association physician data.
CBA has recruited licensed physicians, nurse practitioners,
specialists, and social workers experienced in treating older
adults, including Dr. Monica Mahajan
and LeShaun Williams APRN.
"Our practitioners are dedicated to whole-person care—listening,
providing clear answers and empowering patients to make informed
treatment choices," said Executive Director Estrelitta Harmon, a
former senior leader with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
"With access to St. Bernard Hospital's advanced diagnostics, we can
identify and address aging issues such as blocked arteries, breast
cancer, digestive problems, and chronic pain. Members receive
personal care plans and coordinated treatment from a network of
providers devoted to their physical and mental well-being."
The center's strategic operations team has recruited community
partners to reach out to aging adults without a primary care
provider and coordinate timely follow-up with members to keep them
active in the community. Physical therapy and fall risk prevention
support mobility and longevity, while geriatric mental and
behavioral care screens for difficulty with comprehension,
self-care, and cognitive functions. Partners include Chicago
Commons, Chicago State University, DL3
Realty, KemeticHlth, Smyl Fitness Rx, SPARC Wellness, St. Bernard
Hospital, and UI Health.
"The center will provide the missing follow-through piece to
achieve optimal health outcomes for our patients who are 50 years
and older on the greater South Side," said CBA Board President Mr.
Charles Holland, the president and
CEO of St. Bernard Hospital. "We train our staff in the complex
care needs of aging adults, and we offer one of only three
accredited geriatric emergency departments in the city. The center
provides the continuity of care that can support these patients'
recovery and keep them healthy. It will be a strong advocate for
health equity among the older adult population."
About the Center for Better Aging
The Center for Better Aging is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the lifelong health of adults age 50+ on Chicago's South Side. In partnership with
local organizations, CBA offers medical and wellness services
across the St. Bernard Hospital campus, in members' homes and
through community outreach. By bringing together medical experts
with advanced diagnostic equipment, CBA enhances well-being through
predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory care.
Governed by a coalition based at St. Bernard Hospital, CBA is part
of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services'
Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program. For more
information about the Center for Better Aging's mission and
programs, visit centerforbetteraging.org and the CBA's
Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
CONTACT
Beshanda Owusu
Purpose Brand
bowusu@purposebrand.com
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SOURCE Center for Better Aging