MGH Senior HealthWISE
Senior HealthWISE (Wellness, Involvement, Support, and Education) enhances the health and well-being of seniors in Boston’s West End and Beacon Hill neighborhoods by addressing social, community, and acute health concerns.
Weekly Wellness Centers for residents of the Amy Lowell, Beacon House, and Blackstone form the cornerstone of HealthWISE (Wellness, Involvement, Support, and Education). These clinics are not intended to replace primary care, but rather to reinforce the connection to care, and to educate the patient and monitor medication and other adherence. Residents who visit the Wellness Center are provided with a variety of health, behavioral, and social services including basic health screenings; education and resource referral for financial, nutritional, and medical concerns; and acute care following a wound, flu, or hospital discharge.
In addition, educational and wellness programs are designed to support socialization, promote exercise, and provide health education for all seniors in the area. Educational and wellness programs include monthly blood pressure screenings, flu vaccine programs, health and wellness lectures, a monthly community newsletter, and exercise classes. Luncheons, book clubs, and a film series provides seniors with opportunities to socialize and learn.
A recent community collaboration demonstrates the value of addressing seniors’ specific health and social needs. The joint efforts of Senior HealthWISE and Boston Senior Homecare at the Blackstone Building have resulted in the identification of people who require homecare, and brought people out of their homes for social and recreational activities including craft projects, support groups, cooking classes, and afternoon teas. Senior HealthWISE has also integrated programs supported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs into Senior HealthWISE programming, including My Life, My Health: Chronic Disease Self-Management; A Matter of Balance; and Healthy Eating for Successful Living. These programs are evidence-based and shown to improve health outcomes.
For 2012,
- 208 residents were registered for services totaling 3,011 clinical contacts.
- There were 369 events (an increase from 314 in 2011) held for older adults on health education sessions such as Hearing and Balance, Glaucoma, Oral Health, Eating Well, Home Safety and Healthy Heart.
- There were 868 individuals (a 36% increase since 2011) receiving benefits of the membership to community programs which includes monthly newsletters, educational events and local discounts.
"Climate Change and Public Health: How Can Health Care Respond to Global Warming."
The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation invites you to a free lecture.
