As senior living operators seek new and better ways to provide health and wellness services for their residents, genetic testing has emerged as a potential fit for communities.
FellowshipLIFE, a nonprofit operator with five life plan communities in New Jersey, recently launched the Personalized Genetic Wellness program, a voluntary genetic testing program. The program is offered as part of FellowshipLIFE’s primary care practice and focuses on disease prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. In addition to FellowshipLIFE residents, the operator has even made the program available to all adults living in the greater Basking Ridge, New Jersey community.
Senior Living Executive connected with Laura Sharp, vice president of clinical operations with FellowshipLIFE, to learn more about how genetic screening is being integrated in its communities. She shared the keys to successfully introducing the program to residents and explained why this “precision-based approach to medicine” can be so valuable.
Why has FellowshipLIFE made genetic screening a priority for supporting its residents?
FellowshipLIFE offers our residents and those in the greater community a host of innovative services to promote their overall health and wellness. Fellowship Medical Group is part of this robust continuum through which residents can readily access medical care from our board-certified internists who are on-site full-time.
Our newest program, Personalized Genetic Wellness, is precision-based medicine that integrates genetic testing into our primary care practice to proactively focus on disease prevention as well as early diagnosis and treatment. Through Personalized Genetic Wellness, residents are empowered with knowledge about their own genetic make-up and opportunities for more informed decision-making about health lifestyle choices and other actions that can help prevent disease or its progression.
Overall, the benefits of Personalized Genetic Wellness to adults are threefold:
1.) To identify disease risks and develop a preventive plan that promotes wellness.
2.) Accurately diagnose and treat disease early to help cure or substantially improve health outcomes.
3) Prescribe medications that are most effective while minimizing side effects.
Genetic testing also helps families understand the potential for inherited risks.
Our philosophy at FellowshipLIFE is to transform the aging experience and enrich lives. Understanding your genetic makeup is one profoundly effective tool that helps you to personally take control of your wellness journey. In addition, services are not limited to FellowshipLIFE residents; this program, located within our Basking Ridge office, is open to all adults within the greater community.
Why was now the right time to launch this program? How have the tools evolved to make this both an accessible and effective effort to invest in?
The cost of genetic testing has become much more affordable in the past few years, and in more cases than not, health insurance coverage is available if criteria are met based upon a carefully taken three generational, family history. Affordable private pay options are offered as well. Various types of genetic testing are available, such as for multiple neurocognitive, cardiac and lung diseases as well as diabetes, obesity, immunodeficiencies and cancers.
Pharmacogenetic testing determines those drug therapy options that will effectively treat certain conditions. Examples include anti-depressants, anti-coagulants, statins, and antibiotics, and antiviral, anti-hypertensive and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications.
How have residents, prospective residents and their families responded to the introduction/implementation of this program?
Residents and families have expressed much interest in Personalized Genetic Wellness because the approach is evidence-driven and exponentially expands the application of medicine toward facilitating personal wellness and healing. This program is a valuable opportunity to increase resident and family satisfaction, knowing that this advanced health and wellness support is conveniently available nearby in our medical group.
Implementation of this program reflects our medical team’s commitment and dedication to driving results-oriented, highly personalized and progressive care. Our physicians also share in the excitement of helping patients realize their health and wellness goals.
What are the biggest challenges to launching this program?
Although not challenging, public education about the benefits of Personalized Genetic Wellness required careful planning and preparation in advance of the launch. In addition, arrangements were made for our internists to mentor under a renowned genetics medicine physician for purposes of integrating genetic testing within primary care. This type of medicine has not been typically included in traditional academic curriculums for internists.
Now that the Personalized Genetic Wellness is well underway, we also see more opportunities for its expansion to families. If a resident or patient has a genetic predisposition to a disease, family members may have similar risks. For example, a patient with increased risk of breast cancer or early onset Alzheimer’s disease may pass that risk to one or more children. Through Personalized Genetics Wellness, family members can gain peace of mind about their own health and take actions that will help them stay healthy and well.
If a fellow senior living provider asked for your advice about pursuing genetic screening, are there keys to success that you would emphasize for them?
It is important to educate residents and patients in advance about the benefits and process of genetic testing to alleviate any unnecessary anxiety. Most genetic tests involve a painless and quick, oral swab. Very few tests require a blood draw, which is also a short and simple process.
In addition, ample time is allotted for our physicians to meet with residents and patients about their results. Through the Personalized Genetic Wellness program, it is essential for physicians to partner with residents and patients toward tailoring a personalized care plan that addresses any genetic risks identified.
Preventive measures must consist of research-confirmed practices and guidelines that have been demonstrated to favorably impact wellness – for example, aortic aneurysm, bone density, and cancer detection screenings and, adherence to American Heart Association recommendations for heart healthy nutrition and consistent, weekly amounts of exercise.
To encourage and sustain the patient’s engagement, it is also important that the physician further customizes the plan of care based upon the patient’s preferences and choices within the scope of the guidelines or best practices. For example, there are many types of activities that constitute “exercise” which satisfy the AHA guidelines.
Overall, Personalized Genetic Wellness is a precision-based approach to medicine that can reduce or eliminate the time and costs associated with traditional diagnostic workups. If a disease is detected through genetic testing, then the evaluation process becomes more targeted.
How does genetic screening fit into FellowshipLIFE’s overall approach to health and wellness?
FellowshipLIFE’s health and wellness continuum focuses on supporting the seven dimensions of wellness: i.e., physical, social, vocational, spiritual, intellectual, environmental and emotional. These dimensions overlap and often impact each other with physical wellness serving as the foundation. Each individual may value one dimension more than another, however, they all are integral to the experience of overall well-being. In alignment with this priority, Fellowship Medical Group remains highly committed toward offering compassionate, informative and advanced, research proven care that helps residents and patients achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes to embrace a lifestyle that they enjoy.