Introducing Population Health by Knute Nelson
July 7, 2022
By Danielle Andersen
A new wellness and health-focused program putting the patient at the center of everything we do and is tailored for rural areas
It functions on the realization that no matter what state of health a person is in, there are practices, procedures, and technologies that can be employed to improve that person’s health and increase their quality of life. This work includes the capacity to function across every domain of wellness, no matter what the person’s current health conditions are and to minimize barriers that prevent aging adults to maximize their well-being journey.
Great well-being starts with treating the whole person, not just a single condition
How are we accomplishing this?
Care teams at Knute Nelson, local community partners and health care facilities are embracing collaborative thinking and eliminating siloed care, opting instead for a focus on the whole person. Every member of every care team makes a vital
contribution toward your wellbeing – your health. Knute Nelson is launching a pilot project called Connected Communities for Healthy Aging. This innovative initiative, one of two in rural Minnesota, is funded by a $800,000 grant through LeadingAge MN Foundation and $100,000 grant through UCARE Foundation. The goal is to provide a more integrated system of caring for seniors and to help them live their best lives by working collaboratively to make the aging journey easier to navigate, provide relevant resources and support to individuals. A few examples include remote monitoring, transportation assistance, socialization, and chores around the home among others. Our Connected Communities Population Health pilot program will be offered at no cost to all Medicare eligible older adults and their caregivers. Our pilot will aim to serve between 200 and 250 participants. Each participant will be eligible to participate in the pilot for one year. At the end of that year, participants desiring ongoing support will be given recommendations for care avenues.
The Next Step
Knute Nelson is creating dynamic connections and partnerships with payers, health systems, and other community aging services providers. The goal of Population Health is to:
- Create a community focused on collaborative approaches to care delivery
- Encourage an effective plan to achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone – patients, clients, residents, community members, workforce and partners
- Facilitate collaboration among local partners
- Be purposeful in how we measure, use data and ensure the voice of the customer is incorporated into all decisions
Our partners include:
Knute Nelson, Alomere Health, Horizon Public Health, Lakes Area Age Friendly, Dancing Sky
AAA, Leading Age MN, Prime West, UCARE, West Central MN Communities Action
Connected Communities participants will be eligible for the following benefits:
- Resource Navigation
- Targeted Care Management
- Technology Support
- Remote Patient Wellness
- Remote Health Monitoring
- Engagement
- Personal Emergency Response Device
To learn more or sign up contact our Age Well Coordinator at 320-852-2217 or visit our website.
