Page 84 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2024 - Online Magazine
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SENIOR RESOURCES SENIOR RESOURCES
PROMOTING VACCINATION
AS
pREVEntatiVE caRE
by Marcella Ford, Aging & Disability Services Program Director, Silver Star
ilver Star Health Network, a Silver Star, guides the IDT
Division of StarCare Specialty in determining appropriate
SHealth System, provides preventative services to
comprehensive medical care as well provide for each participant
as support services through the based on individual need. people with certain underlying
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the In addition to annual wellness medical conditions.” (2023, Dec. 14).
Elderly (PACE). Silver Star’s mission exams and screenings, one of Urgent Need to Increase Immunization
is to provide quality medical care the preventative measures he Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and
and an array of support services recommends for every participant RSV and Use of Authorized/Approved
to people with health challenges, is to follow the Centers for Disease Therapeutics in the Setting of Increased
ensuring they are able to live at Control and Prevention (CDC) Respiratory Disease Activity During
home and be part of the community. guidelines for vaccinations. the 2023 – 2024 Winter Season. CDC.
The Silver Star PACE program has https://www.cdc.gov
served the aging population in The CDC recently issued a Health
Lubbock County since 2010. Alert Network Health Advisory to Due to many participants in
alert healthcare providers to low the Silver Star program dealing
Silver Star utilizes an vaccination rates against influenza, with health issues, such as
Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory COPD/Asthma, cardiac disease,
approach which provides syncytial virus). According to the rheumatological conditions,
coordinated, comprehensive care health alert, “Low vaccination rates, diabetes, cancer and/or being on
for each participant. The IDT coupled with ongoing increases immunosuppressive medications,
members include the Participant in national and international Dr. Rodriguez and others on the
and/or their representative, respiratory disease activity caused IDT regularly educate participants
Primary Care Physician, Nurses, by multiple pathogens, including about the benefits of vaccination and
Transportation Aids, Dietitians, influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 encourage them to follow the CDC
Therapists, Pharmacist, Personal (the virus that causes COVID-19), guidelines for receiving vaccinations.
Care Attendants, and others as and RSV, could lead to more severe Medical staff are available to
needed to provide a high-level of disease and increased healthcare administer the vaccines in whatever
communication and individualized capacity strain in the coming environment the participant chooses
attention for each participant. weeks. Healthcare providers should and as determined appropriate by
administer influenza, COVID-19, the IDT, whether it be their home
The IDT assists participants with and RSV immunizations now or at the Silver Star on-site clinic
receiving the services and care to patients, if recommended.
needed to increase and maintain Healthcare providers should to make receiving this important
preventative care as convenient and
satisfaction with their quality of recommend antiviral medications
life and to remain healthy as long for influenza and COVID-19 for all easily accessible as possible.
as possible. Dr. Enrique Rodriguez eligible patients, especially patients
is an internal medicine specialist at high-risk of progression to several
and, as the Medical Director for diseases—such as older adults and
84 Lubbock Senior Link
