Elder Care in New York, New York

For the past 4 1/2 years, I worked as a Health Coach with Iora Health in their primary care clinics, two of those years serving Seniors. I brought patients to the exam rooms, took vital signs, established an agenda for the visit with the doctor and wrote the plan of care created during the visit. In many instances, the plan included the creation of S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound) Goals for matters important to the patient such as weight loss and physical activity. As the Health Coach, I helped with the creation of the goals and the plans for their attainment using Motivational Interviewing and Appreciative Inquiry. Further, I served as an accountability partner as the patient worked through his or her plan. In addition, I often acted as an advocate in the general health care system on behalf of patients (e.g. procuring a CPAP machine). Finally, I regularly taught Tai Chi and the class was highly valued and greatly enjoyed by a substantial number of patients.