Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Clinical outcomes for older adults are often suboptimal because of frequent transitions among clinical settings, numerous specialists and lack of coordination of care, resulting in higher utilization and costs of care. The CARIÑO (Spanish for fondness, affection, tenderness, and love) Approach represents a highly complex set of related activities that can occur alone or be integrated to meet the patients’ needs. This approach, developed in the process of transformation into a patient centered medical home (PCMH), avoids “silos” of care and facilitates shifting to patient‐ and family‐centered care that results in patient‐driven, value‐based care and improved outcomes. Relationship building is intentional and continuous. The elements of this approach are as follows: Comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate care across various clinical settings that meets the older adults’ needs beyond the office walls; Advocating for patients and families by collaborating and maintaining relationships with other clinicians and health care partners; Respecting what matters most to your older patients (e.g., meals, mobility, money, and medicines5); Intentional activities and processes in your practice that are specific to meet the needs of older adults; Nurtured relationships with families, social service agencies, and community partners; Older adults are wise and know what they want: Listen to what they say (CARINO). Under CARINO, all coordination and relationship building with patients, caregivers, and all health care providers occurs at the clinic. CARIÑO en Su Casa takes the approach one step further, taking it into patient homes. The CARIÑO en Su Casa approach recognizes the unique needs of elderly patients that are often overlooked, particularly of underserved Hispanic elderly who lack resources such as transportation or insurance, and for whom barriers such as language and communication, and understanding how to navigate a complex health system are very significant. Such health disparities and issues with trust building and relationship building are prominent in underserved Hispanic groups in south Texas. Therefore, establishing relationships with underserved communities, as achieved by the CARIÑO approach, is crucial to improving clinical outcomes and advancing research in dementia care.</jats:p></jats:sec>