The American Geriatrics Society has chosen Steven Counsell, M.D., director of the geriatrics program and Indiana University School of Medicine, as its president at the AGS annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Counsell also serves as executive director of the highly acclaimed GRACE (Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders) Team Care program, is the Mary Elizabeth Mitchell Professor of Geriatrics and professor of medicine at IU.

Going beyond traditional care, GRACE’s approach outside of the hospital setting has been shown to enhance quality of geriatric care, optimize quality of life and decrease excess healthcare use, including avoidance of hospitalization and visits to the emergency room.

Headed by a nurse practitioner and a social worker in complement with a primary care physician, the GRACE team provides patients with specialized care for geriatric conditions such as falls, depression and memory problems. They also provide healthcare education, medication management and coordination of care between physicians, hospitals and support services.

“The time has come to embrace new approaches to the care management of high-risk Medicare populations who are among the most vulnerable of our fellow citizens,” said Dr. Counsell. “Programs such as GRACE are proving to have a major, positive impact on improving the patient experience, particularly for low-income seniors, dual-eligibles and others with complex medical and social needs.”

The American Geriatrics Society is a nonprofit organization made up of more than 6,000 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. It provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education and public policy.

For more information on GRACE, visit graceteamcare.indiana.edu. Further information about the American Geriatrics Society can be found at www.americangeriatrics.org.

Source: Inside Indiana Business