A new model of senior care—integrated, holistic—has cut emergency room visits by 50% for older adults, according to data from the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai.
The center, founded in 2007 and expanded to a downtown location in 2019, brings together over 20 specialties—cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, orthopaedics, and more—alongside radiology and physical therapy, all under one roof.
But the real edge lies in its wellness programmes. Tai chi, yoga, music therapy, nutrition coaching and fall‑prevention classes are offered to every patient, and every new enrollee receives a full geriatric assessment that looks at mood, family support and daily function—not just medical charts. Dr Nathan Goldstein, chief of geriatrics, says, “We empower seniors to make their own health decisions and stay active.”
Mount Sinai reports nearly 5,000 patient visits in the first year of the downtown center, with hospital stays 30% shorter and readmissions 50% lower than regional averages. Patients also have half as many ER visits as the average senior, a figure that underscores the impact of preventive, interdisciplinary care.
The center trains the next generation of physicians, pairing medical students and residents with seasoned geriatricians to conduct research on ageing and outpatient care. Goldstein notes that “specialised training in geriatrics will be essential to keep older adults functioning and out of hospitals for the next 20‑30 years.”
If you or a loved one is 65 or older, consider a center that blends medical treatment with lifestyle support. Talk to your primary doctor about whether an integrated geriatric clinic could help you stay healthier and reduce hospital visits.