presented by SONOMA VALLEY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
SONOMA VALLEY HOSPITAL is My Hospital.
SONOMA VALLEY HOSPITAL is My Hospital.
GERIATRIC PROGRAMS AND AGE-FRIENDLY HEALTH SYSTEM
Introduction
Thirty percent of Sonoma Valley’s residents are over 65. Thirteen percent are over 75 years old. That is double the average of 15% of the 65+ population in the state of California. Sonoma Valley Hospital is proud to serve as a beacon of excellence in healthcare for the Sonoma community and as an Age-Friendly Health System, the hospital is committed to providing specialized, compassionate care tailored to the unique needs of older adults.
The Age-Friendly Health System at Sonoma Valley Hospital integrates a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare including its recent initiative to become accredited as a Geriatric Emergency Department. All services are designed to support the aging population in maintaining health, dignity, and quality of life. Sonoma Valley Hospital, in collaboration with Sonoma Valley Family Practice Specialty Clinic, is committed to enhancing the well-being of older adults and underserved populations in Sonoma Valley.
With the implementation of the Age Friendly Health System, the hospital has successfully increased the number of patients discharged to home or hospice care instead of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. It is positive shifts like this, that allow patients to recover in a more familiar, comfortable setting, which improve outcomes for both patients and families.
At the heart of this program is the Sonoma Valley Specialists Family Practice’s Dr. Becky Spear, DNP, ARNP, AGPCNP-BC. Dr. Spear is a renowned Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Gerontology Specialist, offering personalized care that focuses on the comprehensive well-being of each patient. Together with the team of professionals at Sonoma Valley Family Practice and the Hospital, Dr. Spear ensures that patients receive the best care for their specific needs.
This Case for Support aims to highlight the importance of continued investment in Geriatric and Age-Friendly Programing at Sonoma Valley Hospital, encouraging community support and philanthropy to enhance the services provided to our older population.
The Importance of Geriatric Care:
By 2033, the majority of California’s middle-income seniors aged 75 and above will have three chronic conditions and mobility limitations, according to a 2022 study by the National Opinion Research Center. As the population ages, the demand for specialized care tailored to older adults continues to grow. Older adults often face complex health challenges that require a multifaceted approach. Given the aging demographic of our community, it is critical to provide geriatric-focused care to support older adults in maintaining their independence, quality of life, and overall health. Sonoma Valley Hospital’s Age-Friendly Health System is working toward meeting these challenges by offering a continuum of care that includes the following key areas:
• Mental Health & Grief Support: Many patients in our community are struggling with mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and grief-related distress. Expanding access to counseling, support groups, and behavioral health services is essential for their well-being.
• Orthopedics: Aging often brings about musculoskeletal issues such as joint pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, and mobility challenges. Orthopedic programs provide expert surgical and non-surgical treatments for these conditions, allowing older adults to maintain mobility, independence, and a high quality of life.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is critical to helping older adults recover from injuries, manage chronic pain, and maintain functional independence. Offering tailored rehabilitation services that focus on strength, flexibility, and balance, which are essential to preventing falls and improving mobility is vital.
• Dementia Care: The prevalence of dementia and related cognitive disorders increases with age. Providing compassionate care for those experiencing memory loss, confusion, and other cognitive impairments ensures that individuals and their families receive the support needed for a dignified and comfortable life.
• Comprehensive Clinical Services: Additional clinical services, such as wound care, outpatient infusions, phlebotomy, and urgent care, are necessary to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
Why Support is Needed
To maintain and expand the impact of Sonoma Valley Hospital’s Age Friendly Health System, additional support is needed from the community. Philanthropic contributions can help fund:
• State-of-the-Art Equipment and Technology: Funding will allow the hospital to acquire advanced medical equipment and technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for older adults.
• Program Expansion: The increasing demand for geriatric care necessitates an expansion of services and infrastructure. This includes additional support from doctors, registered nurses (RNs), occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians, palliative care specialists, physical therapy staff, enhanced dementia care programs, and expanded orthopedic services.
• Transitional Living Programs: Independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing, are essential components of the continuum of care, providing critical support for individuals as their needs evolve with age or health changes.
• Research and Education: Donations will support research into aging-related conditions and provide ongoing education and training for healthcare providers to ensure they are equipped with the latest knowledge in geriatric care.
• Community Outreach: Resources are needed to increase community education about geriatric care and health management, ensuring that more older adults have access to the care they need before a crisis arises.
The Impact of Your Support
With your support, we will elevate orthopedic and rehabilitative care in Sonoma Valley through:
1. Upgrading Surgical Systems
Investing in a new Stryker arthroscopic camera system to provide unparalleled visualization for our surgeons, leading to improved accuracy and faster recovery for patients.
2. Enhancing Rehabilitation Services
Expanding capabilities at Sonoma Valley Hand and Physical Therapy with new therapeutic technologies and customized care programs that help patients return to active, pain-free lives.
3. Improving Patient Outcomes
Integrating cutting-edge surgical tools and rehab equipment will reduce complications, shorten recovery times, and enhance patient comfort.
4. Attracting and Retaining Clinical Talent
Modern technology and a commitment to innovation help us recruit and retain top orthopedic surgeons, therapists, and specialists—ensuring our community receives world-class care close to home.
Ways to Give
There are many ways to make a meaningful impact:
• One-time gifts
• Recurring monthly donations
• Multi-year pledges
• Corporate sponsorships
• Planned giving and estate gifts
• Stock donations
Conclusion
Sonoma Valley Hospital is making significant strides in improving care for older adults. Our Age Friendly Health System, including Dr. Becky Spear and her team, provides essential, high-quality care to our aging population. With your support, we can ensure that this program continues to grow and thrive, meeting the growing needs of older adults in our community. We invite you to join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of those who have given so much to our community. Together, we can continue to create an age-friendly environment where older adults are able to live with dignity, health, and independence.
• Tribute gifts in honor or memory of loved ones
To donate or learn more about how you can help, please visit SVHFoundation.com or contact: Leslie Antonelli Petersen at lpetersen@sonomavalleyhospital.org or 707-738-5108.
SONOMA
The Role of Dr. Becky Spear and the Geriatrics Team:
Dr. Becky Spear, a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Gerontology Specialist, approaches her practice with a deep commitment to holistic and individualized care for older adults. With years of experience in geriatric healthcare, Dr. Spear provides expertise in managing complex conditions associated with aging, from chronic diseases to frailty, and works closely with patients and their families to develop care plans that prioritize quality of life.
Under her leadership, the team takes a collaborative approach, working with specialists throughout the hospital environment to offer seamless, integrated care. This team approach ensures that patients receive the most comprehensive, compassionate care possible.
Age-Friendly Health System:
Access to affordable and accessible healthcare is increasingly a problem for seniors. In surveys by both AAA and Statewide Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults, between 30 and 50 percent of respondents cited insufficient, accessible healthcare services and lack of access to a variety of healthcare needs as a problem. Sonoma Valley Hospital’s recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System is a testament to its commitment to meeting the needs of older adults. The "4 M's" framework of an Age-Friendly Health System is a critical component of age-friendly care, which focuses on:
• What Matters: Aligning care with the patient’s goals and preferences.
• Medication: Reviewing medications to avoid harmful side effects or interactions, especially in older adults.
• Mentation: Addressing cognitive health, which includes screening for delirium and dementia.
• Mobility: Encouraging and supporting mobility to maintain physical function and independence.
The Age Friendly Health System at Sonoma Valley Hospital is designed to ensure that older patients receive care that is respectful, effective, and tailored to their needs. With your support, the program will continue to grow to become a comprehensive, patient-centered program that integrates both primary care and geriatric services to support the aging population. Our key initiatives will include:
1. Integrated Geriatric Primary Care: We will dedicate primary care providers with expertise in geriatrics to offer personalized, holistic medical care tailored to older adults’ specific needs.
2. Multidisciplinary Care Team: The hospital will focus on collaborative care teams, including RNs, occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians, and palliative care specialists, ensuring that each patient’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs are addressed.
3. Expanded Mental Health & Grief Support: The program will provide access to licensed counselors, grief support groups, and social workers, helping individuals navigate the emotional and mental challenges associated with aging, illness, and bereavement.
4. Enhanced Clinical Services: On-site services such as wound care, outpatient infusions, phlebotomy, and urgent care will enhance accessibility and continuity of care, providing convenience for patients and preventing avoidable emergency room visits.
5. Community Education & Wellness Programs: The program will offer health education seminars, fall prevention workshops, chronic disease management classes, and caregiver support services to empower the community to take control of their health and prevent future health crises.