With and Without AXIS
| Axis Model of Disability Care |
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Other Models of Disability Care |
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Angie joined AXIS early in 2005. Angie’s multiple complicating diagnoses impacted both her physical and mental health. Her difficulty in managing her conditions was growing. As a result, her ability to live independently was in jeopardy. During the previous year, Angie was admitted to the hospital or in the emergency room a total of 47 times. Frequently these admissions were to obtain treatment for pneumonia or for mental health services. No one was assisting her in managing her physical or mental health.
To bring stability to Angie’s life, her AXIS team began to build community support services around her. They established in-home care services, including personal care assistance (PCA), weekly skilled nurse visits, and independent living skills (ILS). The AXIS team connected Angie to mental health rehabilitation services for help organizing her apartment and orienting her within the community. They implemented a more consistent medication regimen, and ensured that someone was around to help Angie follow through with her prescription management. These services enabled Angie to reconnect with activities she enjoyed, such as art and writing, and she re-engaged with her family and community. Her Health Coordinator also connected Angie to a primary care physician, and attended regular visits and check-ups with her.
Most importantly, with this consistent care and involvement, Angie came to trust her AXIS team and began to notify them sooner if she started to feel unwell. Knowing about a potential illness earlier allowed her coordinators to quickly intervene, which frequently eliminates the need for a visit to the ER down the road.
During Angie’s second year as an AXIS member, people began to notice a change in her level of acute care needs. A provider, not affiliated with AXIS, told us she was astonished Angie had not been hospitalized or in the ER in almost a year. For Angie, the community around her, and the AXIS team, this was a huge accomplishment.