The GRACE Model

Studies have confirmed what physicians and healthcare providers caring for older adults have always known: many older adults are living with multiple chronic illnesses, geriatric syndromes, and functional limitations. Additionally, this population accounts for a disproportionate share of Medicare expenditures. Unfortunately, older adults receiving their care from primary care settings often fail to receive the recommended standards of care. In response to the need for new delivery models to better address common geriatric conditions and integrate medical and social care, the clinicians and researchers at the Indiana University Center for Aging Research designed and tested a new model of interdisciplinary team care called GRACE, Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders. The GRACE model was originally developed to improve the quality and outcomes of care for older adults. The goal of the GRACE model is to optimize health and functional status, decrease excess healthcare use, and prevent long-term nursing home placement.