Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kaylyn Kendall Dines
(973) 972-7276

At UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Geriatrician Adopts Tradition of Making House Calls for Elderly in Newark

Twice a week, Dr. Keerti Sharma leaves the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) carrying a bag that contains a laptop computer, a stethoscope, bandages, and medical supplies to make house calls to elderly patients in Newark.

Dr. Sharma, assistant professor of medicine and a geriatrician at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, and Doreen Monks, an advanced practice nurse at UMDNJ-University Hospital, administer the House Calls for Seniors program.

The program was created by Dr. Debbie Salas-Lopez, chief of the Division of Academic Medicine, Geriatrics and Community Programs at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School.

Dr. Salas-Lopez said data from the 2002 American Community Survey indicates that 11 percent of the population in both Essex County and the City of Newark is 65 years and older. Of this cohort, nine percent live in poverty, 40 percent live in multi-unit structures, four percent do not have telephone service and 15 percent do not have access to a car for private use.

House Calls for Seniors helps elderly patients manage chronic health problems--such as diabetes, heart disease, insomnia, abnormality of gait, urinary incontinence, memory loss, hypertension, osteoporosis, and asthma--through home visits from a physician rather than having to go to the physician's office. Individuals who are 65 years or older are eligible to participate in this program.

Social workers at three of New Community Corporation's senior citizens residences in Newark arrange patient appointments for the medical team. The location of each appointment depends on a patient's preference, taking place either at an on-site office or in the patient's apartment.

"With the help of key leaders at UMDNJ-University Hospital, we have extended the boundaries of health care to the home," Dr. Salas-Lopez said. "Because of this collaborative partnership between UMDNJ and community-based organizations, we are meeting a health care need and providing holistic care for the most vulnerable population in Newark, the elderly."

Dr. Sharma said, "This comprehensive community-health program brings dignity, sensitivity, inclusiveness, and candor to the care of aged individuals. Through House Calls for Seniors, we are able to emphasize health prevention and maintenance so that seniors can maximize their independence."

Home environment assessments are part of Dr. Sharma's comprehensive approach. "By visiting our patients at home we hope to establish trust by offering culturally and linguistically appropriate care. We make every effort to gain greater insight by helping them manage their health. Our goal is to expand our program to other senior citizen residences in Newark."

For more information about House Calls for Seniors, call Carmen McLaughlin, of the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, at 973-972-7600.

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) comprises the state 's only three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, school of health related professions, school of nursing and a school of public health on campuses in Newark, Piscataway/New Brunswick, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ also operates UMDNJ-University Hospital in Newark and University Behavior HealthCare. It is affiliated with more than 200 health care and educational institutions throughout the state.

###