Understanding how Patina can support healthcare needs for older adults

Alexandra Ristow, MD, shares additional details about her role as Practice Leader at Patina and how we support patients in the conversation below.

What drew you to a medical practice like Patina?

As a doctor, one of the things that's most important to me is to be able to understand my patient’s priorities so that I can help with what is important to them.

I love working in an environment where I have time to really get to know somebody, and to help them think through whatever their health-related needs are. This includes their physical and emotional health – things like mood, depression or anxiety, as well as what we call ‘social care’ needs like additional support at home, transportation and other concerns related to care navigation and coordination.

Why would someone need the type of care Patina offers?

At Patina, we focus exclusively on older adults. Our goal is to make sure that you get the best possible care so that you can live well and thrive. As a patient, you'll have access to your own dedicated care team, who stays with you over time and is always here for you. We get to know you and understand your goals, values and preferences, which helps us to develop a highly individualized care plan for your physical health or emotional health, and any other social or healthcare navigation needs you may have. Your loved ones are also welcome to be part of your team and can engage us as well.

We'll help you anticipate and address the normal changes in function, mobility, and health status that occur as you grow older. Being proactive is really important, and since we only see patients who are 65 or older, we really understand what to look for and can help you get ahead of potential health issues. We also understand that healthcare can be incredibly complicated and often confusing. Helping you simplify this complexity, sort out things that are messy, and take charge of your own health are all things that we can do for you.

Since we only see patients who are 65 or older, we really understand what to look for and can help you get ahead of potential health issues. We also understand that healthcare can be incredibly complicated and often confusing. Helping you simplify this complexity, sort out things that are messy, and take charge of your own health are all things that we can do for you.

Who is on my dedicated care team?

Each dedicated care team includes a clinician, like me, who oversees your care. Your team also includes a nurse champion, who can answer questions and provide health guidance and lifestyle coaching. When needed, we can even go to your home.

You’ll also have what we call a Patina Health Champion. Your Health Champion is your go-to person – they’re here for you and can take on the legwork to make healthcare less complicated and less of a hassle for you. Most of our interactions will take place virtually, on the phone or through a video visit. But if you need hands-on care, we’ll send a clinician to your home.

How can my care team help me?

There’s a lot we can do! It really depends on you – your health and your priorities. Common things we help with include:

Thinking through your health goals and what's most important to you in the coming weeks, months, and years.
Talking about any new symptoms or how changes to your diet or prescriptions are working out.
Discussing any concerns that sometimes get short shrift in other appointments – things like sleep, mood, and energy.
Planning for hospital admissions as well as making sure you've got the support you need to recover at home after you're released. We can also work on helping you stay healthy to potentially avoid a hospital admission or ER visit altogether.
Reviewing your medications to see if they're effective, and if you even need all of them.
Making sure you're set up to live safely and independently at home – something we know is important to all of our patients.

At any time, you can also connect with us via our web and mobile apps to request prescription refills, send us questions, review notes from your prior visits, and more. Patina is very much like concierge care, providing you with VIP-level service but without the high fees or added costs.

Should I expect to spend more time with my healthcare provider?

We often hear from patients that they feel rushed during visits with their healthcare providers, and that they feel like they may be missing the bigger picture. Is someone really looking at a complete picture of what's happening in their life and with their health? Are they missing something? What should they do to stay healthy and live independently as they get older?

Your care team will work with you to identify and address your care needs proactively. We work with you on a personalized care plan, checking in to follow up and see how you're doing. We’re here if you’re not feeling well and need a fast appointment, and we’re also here if you want to talk about areas of concern.

Why is it important that my provider get to know me?

Time and again, patients tell us that they don't always feel heard by their doctor – that no one is really listening to them. At Patina, we prioritize relationships and getting to know you, understand what matters most, and work with you to make sure that your care plan addresses your goals and preferences.

Trust is fundamental in any relationship. You need to feel comfortable sharing what’s on your mind and feel confident that you’re truly being seen and heard. If your healthcare providers don’t really know you and what’s happening in your life – not just with your health but other things like your living environment, what’s happening within your family or social circle, your emotions, and more – then they’re missing the full story. And all of these things impact how you manage your health and receive care.

Many people are prescribed medications from multiple providers, or feel they may be taking too many medications. Is this something Patina can help with?

Different pills, different doses, and different times to take them can make it tricky to keep track of all your medications. And if you’re also taking vitamins or supplements, it gets even more complicated. Many older adults want to cut down on their medications, but it’s tough when you’re seeing multiple doctors and no one’s looking at the big picture.

Patients tell us they’re uncertain about their medications. Are they all needed? Is it harmful to take all of them? Are there other things that they could do besides take a pill that would improve their health or help them manage their condition?

We can do a comprehensive review of all the medications and supplements that you're taking and see if they're effective and working together, then talk about changes or alternatives. Research shows that many medications taken by older adults can be safely reduced, and we can help with that.

What do you mean by ‘whole-person care’?

We look at each patient as a whole person, not just a condition to be treated. This means we talk about things that might be causing you to be anxious or depressed. We can discuss whether you have the right things in place around you in terms of social support, transportation, meals and more, and if you’re set up to continue living safely and independently at home. In short, whole person care means looking after your physical and emotional health, as well as your social care needs.

These sorts of questions typically fall outside of what’s discussed with many doctors, but they’re the exact things that we can work on with you.

What is a Health Champion?

A Health Champion acts as your advocate and is a sort of a quarterback for all things healthcare. They're here for you. No ask is too big or too small. They can help reduce the hassles that come with healthcare and do things like:

Find specialists and track down or share medical records
Make sure your care is coordinated across all your healthcare providers
Help arrange physical therapy, lab work, medical supplies and equipment
Answer benefits questions and check eligibility
Connect you to community resources or transportation to a doctor’s visit

We have a great team who understands how the healthcare system works, especially Medicare, which alleviates the burden on you and your loved ones.

This sounds very different from most people's experience with the healthcare system. What feedback have you had from patients?

We hear from patients every day about how much they appreciate our support, which is really gratifying. They tell us that they finally feel like somebody knows them and is listening to them, and that we are paying attention to what matters most to them. They also tell us that they have peace of mind that someone is being proactive and connecting the dots across everything that's happening.

Patients also talk about how they love the convenience of Patina – like being able to call us or send a quick message in our app, and how easy it is to hop on a video visit. They also like that someone can go to their home if it's needed, which is much easier than driving to a doctor's office and sitting in a crowded waiting room.

We get incredibly high patient satisfaction scores (near perfect!) and consistently see 5-star reviews on Google, Healthgrades and WebMD. It’s both humbling and gratifying to see what a difference we’re making in their lives. I've been practicing medicine for more than ten years and really appreciate this feedback. It tells me that what we are doing at Patina – care and support for older adults – is really making a big difference.

Are you looking for a provider who supports you as a whole person, including condition management and more? Patina is a unique medical practice that supports your total health and well-being. Please share your contact information and our team will reach out within a business day to answer any questions or schedule your first appointment.