Elder Care
Roger Williams Medical Center
Treatments that are geared for a younger person are typically not appropriate for someone over 65. We are proud to be part of Rhode Island’s most complete system of elder care, which means our team follows you through every setting -- the hospital, long-term care, or in your home.
Our commitment starts in the community with primary care doctors -- including certified geriatricians -- who know and trust the services we provide. For elders who require a hospital stay, Roger Williams has held NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Health System Elders) certifications since 2006, confirming our commitment to providing excellent care to older patients. Roger Williams is also home to the state’s first and only Geriatric Oncology program, specifically designed to address the needs of seniors with cancer.
Roger Williams became the first hospital in Rhode Island to be certified in Advanced Palliative Care by The Joint Commission. The Palliative Care program at Roger Williams also recently became a member of the Center to Advance Palliative Care, the nation’s leading resource for palliative care development and growth. The Roger Williams’ program was also voted into the Global Palliative Care Quality Alliance, making Roger Williams the only hospital in the Northeast to hold this designation. All of this enhances our ability and knowledge base when it comes to delivering medical care for patients with serious illnesses, at any age, and at any stage of the disease whatever the diagnosis. And for those who need care in their own home, CharterCARE Home Health Services provides a wide array of care.
Most importantly, at every level, there is communication and coordination. This means your medical history -- including up-to-the-minute changes in health status -- is shared with all your caregivers across our system. This is our philosophy: a full team of elder care experts working together to ensure the best outcomes for elders and peace of mind for their loved ones.
Fatima Hospital:
Specialists in the Care of Older Patients
At Fatima we understand that for many older patients and their families hospital care can be a source of stress. Older adult patients have special health needs that require different care from younger adult patients. That is why at Fatima Hospital, we are part of the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program. This means our nurses have received special training in the care of “geriatric” or older adult patients. All hospital care is not the same and it should not be the same.
Working with Your Family
Our nurses understand that family are key members of the health care team. The support of family members will result in a speedy recovery, as well as improved outcomes when a loved one returns home. Our nurses and fellow caregivers are in a special position to work with families as “partners” during the hospital stay. We have a number of materials that assist the nurse in providing“evidence based care”; this is the care that has been proven to be most effective. Educational information used by staff include:
Nurse and Family Partnering
Medication Safety
Fall Prevention
Incontinence
Dementia/Delirium Recognition
Orthopedic Care
Stroke Care
Care of the Oncology Patient
Critical Care of the Senior
Fatima started on its NICHE journey in 2010. Our focus has been one of constant improvement. Our elder-specific training and focus is designed to enhance the experience of the older adult patient.
Among the most recent examples of this elder focus has been the creation of Rhode Island’s first senior friendly emergency department at Fatima Hospital.
Other programs and education we have launched include:
Fall Prevention
Bladder Health/Incontinence Management
Functional Mobility
Delirium Recognition
Psychosocial Effects of Cancer
The Joint Commission Advanced Disease Specific Certifications: Inpatient Diabetes, Primary Stroke, Joint Replacement (Hip and Knee)
To learn more about the NICHE Program, call us at 456-3236.
Nursing Home Placement
At Fatima we understand that for many older patients and their families hospital care can be a source of stress. Older adult patients have special health needs that require different care from younger adult patients. That is why at Fatima Hospital, we are part of the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) program. This means our nurses have received special training in the care of “geriatric” or older adult patients. All hospital care is not the same and it should not be the same.
Working with Your Family
Our nurses understand that family are key members of the health care team. The support of family members will result in a speedy recovery, as well as improved outcomes when a loved one returns home. Our nurses and fellow caregivers are in a special position to work with families as “partners” during the hospital stay. We have a number of materials that assist the nurse in providing“evidence based care”; this is the care that has been proven to be most effective. Educational information used by staff include:
Nurse and Family Partnering
Medication Safety
Fall Prevention
Incontinence
Dementia/Delirium Recognition
Orthopedic Care
Stroke Care
Care of the Oncology Patient
Critical Care of the Senior
Fatima started on its NICHE journey in 2010. Our focus has been one of constant improvement. Our elder-specific training and focus is designed to enhance the experience of the older adult patient.
Among the most recent examples of this elder focus has been the creation of Rhode Island’s first senior friendly emergency department at Fatima Hospital.
Other programs and education we have launched include:
Fall Prevention
Bladder Health/Incontinence Management
Functional Mobility
Delirium Recognition
Psychosocial Effects of Cancer
The Joint Commission Advanced Disease Specific Certifications: Inpatient Diabetes, Primary Stroke, Joint Replacement (Hip and Knee)
To learn more about the NICHE Program, call us at 456-3236.