Entering the Continuum
We hope to be gently assimilated into the Elder-Borg
We will soon be moving to what we hope will be a good place and the right place for us.
Doing this right thing means working long and hard to totally disrupt our lives here, in a town and county we know and love. We will land in a place where we are strangers in a strange land, striving for weeks or months to create from scratch the story of our new lives.
Daily, I confront this agony that we bring on ourselves, demanding that I explain it to me one more time. This is why we must make this move: We are running out of runway, and liftoff happens now or not at all.
Now is the moment because time waits for no man (or his wife.) Our options for healthcare and augmented housing diminish day by day. As our physical and mental independence erode in our current and cherished location, it will become harder to transition in place to the next stage of care (from living independently today to needing assistance to needing skilled nursing).
It’s time to rev engines and pull the stick back. Buckle up.
A PLACE WE WILL CALL HOME 🏡
I feel now that I can tell you about our new digs with a little bit of confidence, Our son (who moved back to Columbia MO two weeks ago) toured the facility this past week and has given it a thumbs-up. This was gratifying since the die is cast and the landing gear is coming down in two months.
We had chosen Lenoir Woods (LW) in Columbia within the first 48 hours after we learned last November that the family was headed west.
As a CCRC (Continuum of Care Retirement Community) or Life Plan Community, Lenoir Woods is like Warm Hearth in Blacksburg, where some of our Floyd friends have moved, and my mother lived the last six years of her life and saw patients as a PT for more than a year.
Lenoir Woods: Independent and Assisted Living in Columbia, Missouri
This choice of placement at LW for our final residence takes meets our future need for the housing transition that will be required as age inevitably takes its toll. Incremental moves in that setting will be down the hall, not across the country or even across town. The survivor of the pair of us will be taken care of in a familiar place.
I hope to continue to this travelogue as we become citizens of the New Space after we land, so stay tuned. What we learn might be useful if you see the end of your runway looming large and close.
MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED 🌡️ 👨⚕️
As several recent health situations among our age-peers and friends have clearly exposed, Floyd County is not a great place to be ill or injured. But having a physician a hour away is not a good option either.
Columbia, Missouri, on the other hand, offers choices between good and better hospital systems, within 15 minutes of home.
I inquired from LW about obtaining a primary care physician, and was offered a list of docs used by residents. I was concerned that it may take weeks to become a new patient and get an appointment if we waited until after we got there.
To avoid that, after selecting a doctor, I called to enroll as new patients. The nurse handed the phone to the doctor (suprising, but read on) and we spoke for a bit. We have September appointments on the calendar.
I chose the MD on the basis of his qualifications, but learned that in addition to his expertise and experience, this doc is part of a model of medicine I had not been aware of before. I think this is going to be a good fit.
CONCIERGE MEDICINE and WELL-CARE 🩺
Also called "retainer-based" or "boutique" medicine, this is a growing trend in health care that appeals to both patients and physicians (many of whom are burning out and looking for alternatives.)
Some express concerns that the upfront fee ($2k) is elitist and divides health care into a haves and have-nots tiered system. I see that, but also know the current model of high-quota patient loads is not good for docs or patients.
I have had a number of "minor" health issues I've never bothered to even mention in abbreviated visits, because the medical caregiver who just skidded into the room with the laptop needs know only about the top two pains or other complaints before they whoosh out of one drab and somber patient containment cubes to the next.
Greet'em, treat'em and street'em as fast as you can, as I was told as a therapist-manager. Its all about volume and the bottom line.
The concierge structure helps avoid delayed treatment, long waits, unreachable doctors and unnecessary ER visits and hospitalization, while providing extended, unrushed MD visits and more thorough exams with an emphasis on well-care (vs sick care) and prevention.
The system that our new doc is part if is a large and growing network called MDVIP.
I offer a few resources if you are interested or know someone who might be. And again, I hope to continue to say more after we land and get our sea legs.
FIND A BETTER PRIMARY CARE EXPERIENCE: MDVIP
6 Problems with Concierge Medicine (+ Overriding Benefits)
Why I chose concierge medicine | A physician’s experience
Hello Fred. My late wife had a cousin who lived in a similar Lutheran senior care facility in Peoria, Illinois, and we visited him once. He took us on a tour and I remember being very impressed with the facility and the residents that we met.
Fred, I look forward to your commentary as you move on to Columbia. The MDVIP option for medical care is intriguing. My doctor is part of the Carilion System with an array of support from different testing procedures and accepts payment from my medical insurance provider. I am happy with the treatment I am receiving but will be interested in how MDVIP works for you. With the present expensive system of health care, it sounds too good to be true.
From AI:
Let’s explore concierge medicine, also known as direct primary care (DPC). These practices offer unlimited access to a primary care doctor for a flat fee. Here’s what you should know:
What Is Concierge Medicine?
Concierge medicine, or DPC, provides personalized medical care.
For a monthly or annual fee (around $80 per month on average), you get nearly unfettered access to a primary care physician.
Unlike insurance, DPC is not a replacement but an add-on to your existing health plan.
It covers a narrow range of services, so maintaining regular health insurance for specialized treatments or catastrophic care is essential.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Affordability: Ideal for chronic conditions with frequent doctor visits.
Unlimited primary care services.
Some employers offer DPC as a benefit alongside insurance.
Cons:
Not suitable for infrequent health care users.
Doesn’t replace insurance; you’ll still need it for specialized care.
Lacks consumer protections required by insurance regulators12.
Remember, concierge medicine can be a game changer for those with chronic illnesses, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Consider your needs and affordability when deciding whether to explore DPC