Healthy Aging Transition Services (HATS)

During our assessment we can help with:

• Recognizing when you might benefit from our services
• Are your memory changes normal
• Depression and/or mood changes
• Falls and mobility concerns
• Concerns about ability to do daily activities
• Medication review and counseling
• Concerns about your safety at home
• Concerns about your caregivers’ ability to safely care for you
• Connecting you with the appropriate referrals and community-based support

Before First Visit

When scheduling the first office visit, a phone call will be scheduled within a few weeks prior to the first visit with either the patient and/or family to learn more about the patient’s needs and concerns. This phone call is completed with the team’s social worker who wants to learn more about the patient’s history and share this information with the HATS team to help develop the plan of care. In addition, a packet of information will be mailed to either the patient or the family member coordinating the patient’s care noting the first appointment date and time along with key information to bring at the first visit. If this packet is not received by within two days of the first appointment, please contact the main HATS office at 317-621-4657.

First Visit

During the first visit, which lasts approximately two hours, the patient receives a comprehensive geriatric assessment by the team, including a psychosocial evaluation, cognitive/mood screening, physical exam by the HATS provider as well as a review of all medications. Additional testing, such as lab work or imaging, may be ordered and reviewed at a later date. Results from the day’s visit will be reviewed with the patient and family during this two-hour session. Recommendations for a plan of care are then determined and implemented based on the patient and family caregiver’s goals and wishes. Some of these recommendations may include outpatient physical/occupational therapy, hearing evaluation, and further cognitive testing with a neuropsychologist. The patient’s primary care physician is then updated about the team’s recommendation. Follow-up appointments, in coordination with the primary care physician, will be arranged as needed.

Follow-Up Visits

Based on the results of the first visit, the patient and family may be invited back for a follow-up office appointment. Some follow-up visits are set up in 2 to 3 months (usually by phone) after the first visit or at a 6-month interval depending on the recommended plan of care. Future memory testing is often completed every 6 months to compare with previous results so the patient, family and HATS team can monitor for any changes taking place. Test results and patient/family concerns are discussed with the HATS provider during follow-up visits.

Additional Information

A social worker can be made available to you either during an office visit or at a pre-arranged follow-up phone appointment to provide you with information on desired services and obtaining community resources. For further opportunities for education and support, go to the following link.

Our clinicians are credentialed with all the major insurance providers, and most insurers pay for this service. Please contact your insurance company to verify coverage.

Our staff is trained to evaluate and address patient and family/caregiver needs as well as to work with the patient's primary care physician to obtain any needed services and resources for maintaining an optimum level of health. Our goal is to exceed patient expectations by providing exceptional experience and care.

Meet the Team