Photo by Janice Hughes
Project Independence
Project Independence is a program of trained volunteers who, under the supervision of a public health nurse case manager, serve as caring partners to build a bridge of advocacy and support for persons who are transitioning from hospital discharge to independence at home.
** Recipient of the prestigious Aging Innovations award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. **
- Help for people discharged from Marin’s four hospitals.
- Volunteers provide services in all areas of Marin, including West Marin.
- Provides companionship, transportation, shopping, and home safety resources
Program Results:
- Reduced recidivism (returning to the hospital within 30 days) to under 6% here in Marin, compared to the national rate of 23% and the state rate of 19.6%.
- 1,000+ patients have been served by Project Independence.
- More than 93% of the program’s patient population are restored to full independence or are provided with on-going support enabling them to remain in their homes.
Contact Us: call 473-2836 or 457-INFO. Send us an e-mail here.
Advanced Care Transitions Program:
provides support to Medicare patients returning home after hospital stays.
The Advanced Care Transition (ACT) program represents a full partnership between the Marin County Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services and two acute care hospitals: Marin General Hospital, the county’s largest hospital, and Novato General Hospital, a smaller suburban hospital in the northern part of Marin.
- At each hospital, a “Hospital Transition Team” which includes the hospital Nurse Case Managers/Discharge Planners, a Pharmacy Technician and a co-located ACT Community Coach/Nurse will work collaboratively to screen, educate and orient patients.
- Within the community, the ACT Community Coach/Nurse will lead a “Community Transition Team” which includes student nurses, pharmacy technicians and volunteers who will be assigned according to the needs of each patient.
- For those patients accepting ACT services, each will have a “Personal Health Team” that includes family, caregivers, clinical and transitional staff and volunteers, and, as needed, cultural, religious or recovery advocates.
- Using this collaborative team approach, the project will focus on and meet specific project objectives.
