Community Story: Crosby
Rural Health Use Case Story: Crosby
Problem Statement: Elderly woman struggles with possible undiagnosed dementia while her husband fears for her safety and well-being. Local healthcare providers lack the training and education to deliver a proper diagnosis and care plan.
Main Character: “Pat,” 60 years old, in cognitive decline
Circumstances: Lives at home with husband and is left alone while he goes to work.
Supporting Characters: Husband, physicians, Crosby Silos to Circles, case manager, home health aide
Story: Pat spends much of her day alone after her husband leaves for work. Lately he has been returning home to find the stove left on and Pat searching for misplaced items in odd places. While once sociable, impeccably dressed, and articulate, she was becoming increasingly withdrawn, disheveled, and at a loss for words.
Pat’s husband is not willing to accept that this might be a medical condition because that journey is long, and he remembers his mother having dementia many years ago. He can’t retire yet, but leaving her at home alone is no longer a safe option. It’s time to look for assistance. He knows about home health care but is unsure of the costs. The only resources he can think of are the physicians at the local hospital.
The medical professionals are facing their own struggles around dementia: they see the diagnosis as a life sentence, and one they are not comfortable delivering. They focus on treatment options instead of upstream interventions and are not aware of the resources and services available to those with dementia and their families.
Pat continues to spend her days alone while her husband prays he will find her safe when he returns from work.
Future Alternative: Through workshops and toolkits, the Crosby Silos to Circles initiative educates the healthcare providers about dementia and bridging the gap between the medical community and social service providers. During a routine checkup, Pat’s physician notices the social and cognitive decline consistent with early dementia. After gathering more information from Pat’s husband and administering additional assessments, the doctor gives Pat the appropriate diagnosis and begins work on a care plan for her. Together, the doctor, Pat’s husband, and their case manager find a suitable home health aide for Pat and a program to assist them in paying for the service. Pat’s husband receives information and ongoing support for helping his wife live out her best life in their home.
Problem Statement: Elderly woman struggles with possible undiagnosed dementia while her husband fears for her safety and well-being. Local healthcare providers lack the training and education to deliver a proper diagnosis and care plan.
Main Character: “Pat,” 60 years old, in cognitive decline
Circumstances: Lives at home with husband and is left alone while he goes to work.
Supporting Characters: Husband, physicians, Crosby Silos to Circles, case manager, home health aide
Story: Pat spends much of her day alone after her husband leaves for work. Lately he has been returning home to find the stove left on and Pat searching for misplaced items in odd places. While once sociable, impeccably dressed, and articulate, she was becoming increasingly withdrawn, disheveled, and at a loss for words.
Pat’s husband is not willing to accept that this might be a medical condition because that journey is long, and he remembers his mother having dementia many years ago. He can’t retire yet, but leaving her at home alone is no longer a safe option. It’s time to look for assistance. He knows about home health care but is unsure of the costs. The only resources he can think of are the physicians at the local hospital.
The medical professionals are facing their own struggles around dementia: they see the diagnosis as a life sentence, and one they are not comfortable delivering. They focus on treatment options instead of upstream interventions and are not aware of the resources and services available to those with dementia and their families.
Pat continues to spend her days alone while her husband prays he will find her safe when he returns from work.
Future Alternative: Through workshops and toolkits, the Crosby Silos to Circles initiative educates the healthcare providers about dementia and bridging the gap between the medical community and social service providers. During a routine checkup, Pat’s physician notices the social and cognitive decline consistent with early dementia. After gathering more information from Pat’s husband and administering additional assessments, the doctor gives Pat the appropriate diagnosis and begins work on a care plan for her. Together, the doctor, Pat’s husband, and their case manager find a suitable home health aide for Pat and a program to assist them in paying for the service. Pat’s husband receives information and ongoing support for helping his wife live out her best life in their home.