Imagine your brother experiences a lifechanging stroke and you are the only close family member he has left. You’re grieving while also trying to navigate the stress that comes with this new “normal.” Coordinating doctor appointments, therapy, medications, and more are now part of your daily life.
“My brother had a stroke approximately one year ago,” says Evelyn Moss, sister and primary caregiver to Robert Price. “I found myself quite overwhelmed, extremely frustrated, and disappointed at the beginning of his journey. Everyone told us what needed to be done, but there was very little follow through to assure it gotten done.”
With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Evelyn was deeply struggling to take this feat on alone. That’s when Robert’s primary care provider, Dr. Sung Cho at Adelante Healthcare in Mesa, recommended Care Coordination services through Arizona Care Network.
Evelyn finally had some relief. Having ACN’s registered nurse Michael Richards in Robert’s care corner has been monumental for her. She contacts Michael with any questions about Robert’s plan of care and sees him as her “one stop shop” for their needs.
“From the first visit that Michael made to our home I felt like somebody really cared and was going to help,” Evelyn said. “If I needed something he could not help with, he would head me in the right direction, always offering support and kindness. He has coordinated many services that my brother is now receiving, and you can clearly see the improvement in Robert’s day to day life.”
Evelyn said Michael has followed through on every request and is continually in contact with her to make sure things are going well and there’s nothing else she or Robert need.
“When I met Robert, he was in a state of non-compliance,” Michael said. “He had a history of not answering the phone and on my first home visit he did not answer the door.”
Michael then reached out to Evelyn to plan consistent home visits with Robert. These home visits played an essential role in getting Robert into Physical Therapy and helping him manage medications while his primary care provider was out on extended leave.
“Robert had been reluctant to start Physical Therapy, but a direct and casual conversation with him about the need for him to engage in PT guided him to start,” Michael said. “Managing his medications has ensured there are no gaps in his medication coverage.”
Michael thinks Care Coordination is especially valuable for patients like Robert because it ensured his needs were constantly being assessed, allowed him to easily set up appointments with a Physical Therapist he would be comfortable with, and opened communication so the rest of Robert’s care team knows how he is progressing.
“Michael has been a tremendous help emotionally and proven to be a very caring and professional person,” Evelyn said.
Without Care Coordination, Evelyn would still be navigating the complex world of healthcare on her own. ACN understands the challenges of being a caregiver. Care coordination services help support both the patient and the caregiver.
Michael likes to think of Care Coordination services like the game of football.
“We are another set of players on the bench- ready to get as involved as the patient or caregiver needs us to be,” Michael said. “We can assist as little or as much as they need us to. We are available for questions, available to relay concerns to primary care providers, and available to use our individual roles to assist with the patient’s plan of care.”
Michael wants patients to know that no request is too small for our care coordination team, and all members of the team are ready, willing, and able to support, assist, and advocate for a patient’s needs. There is no charge for these services for ACN members.
Care Coordination is available to all patients whose Primary Care Provider is part of Arizona Care Network. Our team works with your doctor to give you the extra support that makes it easier for you to get healthier and stay healthier.
