HJNO Jan/Feb 2026

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  JAN / FEB 2026 53 Melissa Brunvoll Marketing Director Assisted Living and Nursing Care Lambeth House successful shared care. Sending a concise medication list, an easy-to-follow summary of the care plan, and any relevant follow- up instructions helps communities carry out clinical recommendations with confi- dence and accuracy. Providers who establish a consistent point of contact at each local community often find that questions are re- solved quickly, small concerns are addressed before they escalate, and residents remain more stable between appointments. Medication management is another area where assisted living can become an invalu- able ally. With staff available to administer or organize medications, clinicians have a unique opportunity to streamline regimens, implement deprescribing initiatives, and monitor for side effects with greater regular- ity. Pharmacists who support transitions of care can enhance this process even further. When the home environment is organized and supportive, adherence improves natu- rally, and patients often feel more at ease knowing someone is looking out for them. Just as importantly, supportive living en- vironments can be woven directly into the care plan. If a provider feels that mood, mo- tivation, or cognitive health would benefit from greater engagement, they can recom- mend specific programs offered within the community. Many communities have wel- coming committees to help new residents plug into recurring activities and build so- cial connections quickly. Encouraging early participation can make the transition feel energizing and purposeful. Reframing Transitional Care The landscape of senior living is ex- panding and modernizing rapidly. For healthcare providers, this creates a timely opportunity to reframe how residential transitions are understood and utilized. When clinicians introduce supportive liv- ing as a positive, health-promoting choice — one that brings structure, companion- ship, and daily purpose — patients and families often discover possibilities they had not considered. By embracing assisted living as part of the continuum of care, providers can help their patients access not just safety, but connection, engage- ment, and a renewed sense of well-being. Supportive living communities are more than a place to reside — they are a place to help older adults thrive. n REFERENCES Alomari, E., and Claudia Steinke. “Quality of Life in Assisted Living Facilities for Seniors: A De- scriptive Exploratory Study.” Nursing Open 11, no. 3 (2024): e2084. https://doi.org/10.1002/ nop2.2084. Cudjoe, T. K. M., et al. “Association of Social Isolation with Hospitalization and Nursing Home Entry Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.” JAMA Internal Medicine 183, no. 2 (2023): 192–9. https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2023.3064. Heckman, G. A., et al. “The Integrated Care Team: A Primary Care Based-Approach to Support Old- er Adults with Complex Health Needs.” Health- care Management Forum 38, no. 3 (2024): 192–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/08404704241293051. Lam, K., et al. “Social Participation Among Older Adults Before and After Long-Term Care Facility Entry.” JAMA Internal Medicine 185, no. 10 (2025): 1257–65. https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamainternmed.2025.3684. Dhaliwal J. S., and A. K. Dang. “Reducing Hos- pital Readmissions.” StatPearls. Updated June 7, 2024. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Pub- lishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/ NBK606114/. Rottman-Sagebiel, Rebecca, et al. “Pharmacist- Led Transitional Care Program to Reduce Hospi- tal Readmissions in Older Adults.” Federal Practi- tioner 35, no. 12 (2018): 42–50. Ngo, Nha Uyen Tuong, et al. “Clinical Pharma- cist Transition of Care Model Improves Hos- pital System Practice by Reducing Readmis- sions.” The Journal for Healthcare Quality 45, no. 5 (2023): 272–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/ JHQ.0000000000000384. Sizemore, M. R., et al. “Clinical Pharmacist Tran- sition-of-Care Model Improves Hospital Prac- tice by Reducing Readmissions.” Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy 29, no. 4 (2023): 456–465. https://doi.org/10.18553/ jmcp.2023.29.4.456. Zimmerman, S., et al. “Does Assisted Living Pro- vide Assistance and PromoteWell-Being?” Health Affairs (May 2024). https://doi.org/10.1377/ hlthaff.2023.00972. become more relevant to everyday clinical practice. Many communities now collab- orate with primary care providers, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and care man- agers to support residents’ medical needs. Even when on-site clinicians are not pres- ent every day, strong partnerships allow for early identification of changes in condition, more consistent medication management, and smoother transitions after acute care episodes. In this sense, assisted living often provides the structure and continuity that help stabilize chronic illness and prevent the avoidable crises that can occur when older adults are managing alone. Clinicians can integrate these strengths into care planning by viewing supportive living as part of a personalized wellness strategy. When an older adult is experiencing frequent falls, increasing frailty, or reduced engagement at home, raising the possibility of assisted living does not need to signal a loss of independence, rather it opens the door to a setting designed to support au- tonomy with the right amount of help. Discussing with patients in the exam room how much these environments can enhance daily life — fitness classes tailored to age and ability, creative and cognitive pro- grams, transportation services, and oppor- tunities to form new friendships — can shift the narrative from “needing care” to “gain- ing support.” Making the move while they are still active and able to participate in the day-to-day activities in the community can greatly increase their overall quality of life. Working with Assisted Living Communities Practical steps for collaboration are sim- ple and highly effective. Clear, timely com- munication between healthcare teams and assisted living staff creates a foundation for