Saddleback Memorial Foundation
PROGRAMS
Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center has implemented the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), an innovative model of care that prevents hospitalized patients aged 65 years and older from developing delirium, a common yet often unrecognized change in mental state that can lead to cognitive and physical decline, longer hospitalization, and death. HELP features a nurse educator and trained volunteers who use evidence-based interventions to improve patient mobility, cognitive activity, and sleep, which prevents patients from developing delirium during hospitalization. Funds help our hospital purchase necessary HELP toolkit supplies for program interventions.
The HELP program has been successfully implemented at our hospital since 2021, annually helping thousands of senior patients and achieving the following outcomes:
1. Maintain physical and cognitive functioning throughout hospitalization
2. Maximize independence at discharge
3. Assist with the appropriate transition from hospital to home or step-down setting
4. Improve geriatric skills of staff throughout the general medicine units of our hospital
Targeted interventions include:
• Daily visitor program with structured cognitive orientation
• Therapeutic activities program
• Early mobilization
• Non-pharmacologic sleep protocol
• Hearing and vision protocol
• Feeding and hydration assistance
Because of the success of this program at our hospital, other MemorialCare hospitals are also looking into implementing the HELP program.
CONTACT
Saddleback Memorial Foundation
24451 Health Center Drive
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone: 949-452-3724