By Wendy J. Meyeroff
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that 80% of people over age 65 have at least one chronic condition. It’s not unusual for some of these conditions, like diabetes, to affect your heart, your vision, your mobility . . . the list continues. That means you’re likely to be seeing one or more specialists.

One way older adults can maximize their health care is to build a complete medical team. Perhaps even more important, make sure this team is exchanging information.

Think of yourself as the hub of a wheel. The spokes radiating outward are the various health care experts you may need. Usually the first “spoke” in your wheel is your primary care physician.

“While we average 25 minutes per patient in our on-site Medical Center, not everyone has that advantage with their doctor. Keep a strong relationship with your physician,” says Erickson Health primary care physician Elliott Kroger, M.D., Sedgebrook’s in-house doctor. Kroger points out that the “squeaky wheel” adage holds true when it comes to getting your doctor’s full attention.

A pharmacist is another critical spoke in every older adult’s wheel, especially  since the majority of people over age 65 take an average of five medications. Your pharmacist can check potential interactions of medicines prescribed by different physicians and also give advice on using over-the-counter medicines.

Beyond specialists, consider a dietitian, a diabetes educator, and a wellness coordinator, other experts to add to your “wheel spokes.” At Sedgebrook, you’ll find many such experts down the hall from your apartment home.

For example, Sedgebrook’s wellness coordinator, Jessica Jonckheere, finds residents regularly ask her how to improve their balance. Jonckheere can easily consult with Kroger before suggesting a particular option, like the community’s new FallProof! program, a specialized class that teaches you how to prevent falls.