OU Health Partners with Epworth Villa to Offer New Geriatric Health Care Clinic
As people age, healthcare becomes a routine need. OU Health and Senior Community Epworth Villa in northwest Oklahoma City has partnered to provide health care to seniors. Age can be a number when our health opens a door. Jennifer Cushman, Epworth V OU Health and Senior Community Epworth Villa in northwest Oklahoma City have partnered to provide health care to seniors aged 60 and older. The partnership involves Jennifer Cushman and Dr. Lee Jennings, Chief of Geriatric Medicine at OU, providing geriatric medical services and a new clinic on the campus. The clinic will provide senior primary care, diagnostic visits for patients with cognitive issues, and specialized geriatric care for Alzheimer's or other dementias. It also provides future physicians and healthcare professionals with the opportunity to learn the techniques of the trade. Hopes to open the clinic to other community members soon.
Published : a month ago by Becca Roberts in Health
As people age, healthcare becomes a routine need. OU Health and Senior Community Epworth Villa in northwest Oklahoma City has partnered to provide health care to seniors.
Age can be a number when our health opens a door. Jennifer Cushman, Epworth Villa's Chief Nursing Officer, and Dr. Lee Jennings, Chief of Geriatric Medicine at OU, do their best to care for older adults so they can enjoy life.
“I feel like they bring such a collective wisdom,” Jennings said. “We want to try to maximize health, not just lifespan. I love it. I always learn something new from my patients.”
According to the Department of Human Services, there are approximately 875,877 adults ages 60 and older living in Oklahoma. “There’s obviously a need in the community,” Jennings said.
The partnership between Epworth Villa and OU Health will provide geriatric medical services and a new clinic on the Epworth Villa campus. “[Epworth is] a place where people can age in place,” Cushman said. “I am so excited about this clinic.”
There are just a few final touches left to complete before patients arrive next week. This location provides future physicians and healthcare professionals at OU with the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade. “It’s really an opportunity for us too,” Jennings said. “It’s a great opportunity for our trainees to be involved.”
Cushman wouldn't trade her 30 years as a nurse. “I feel like I made a difference every day,” Cushman said. “They bring so much joy to my life and depth to my life that I can’t go anywhere else.”
Cushman will be part of another open door – where age is a number – and healthy living is possible. Jennings said they hope to open the clinic to other community members soon.
According to OU Health, the clinic will provide senior primary care, diagnostic visits for patients with cognitive issues and specialized geriatric care for Alzheimer's or other dementias, particularly with behavioral symptoms or safety concerns
• Difficulty with everyday activities due to problems with cognition or mobility
• Memory problems or abnormal cognitive screening that requires further investigation
• Need for goals of the nursing discussion and advance care planning
Anyone in need of medical care or who has a loved one in need of comprehensive senior health care can call (405) 486-1372 to schedule an appointment for OU Health – Geriatrics at Epworth Villa.