Those suffering with chronic medical conditions, of which eighty percent of older adults have at least one, can often find it difficult to ask for help or even discuss their condition. In particular, bladder conditions and overall bladder health is rarely discussed. Despite being affected by it every day, many find it difficult to approach conversations surrounding bladder health and, as a result, miss opportunities to better understand how to manage it. Whether from lack of awareness, or improper or low medication adherence, poor chronic disease management may result in avoidable hospitalization and stigma around chronic conditions.

As part of our commitment to patients, Astellas announced a collaboration with the Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA), one of New York’s largest and most trusted non-profit agencies, to help bring chronic disease and bladder health management to older adults in the North Brooklyn and Northeast Bronx areas.

Astellas works to establish external collaborations with organizations, like JASA, to help address unmet needs by understanding patient perspectives through qualitative and quantitative feedback. JASA is the latest example of this work; previously announced collaborations include WiserCare and Academy of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators (AONN+), that are exploring healthcare decision support solutions and an oncology-specific patient acuity tool, respectively.

“Collaborations such as this one with JASA, help us better understand the diverse set of challenges patients may face in addressing their illness and are essential in helping to break down barriers and deliver lasting effects for patients,” said Doug Noland, head of patient centricity at Astellas US. “Our work with JASA may help address the gap in information and awareness and help begin to remove the stigma around bladder conditions for older adults.”

The collaboration includes a series of peer-led, evidence-based, chronic disease self-management and bladder health awareness workshops in underserved New York metropolitan area communities. The workshops are focused on building skills, sharing experiences and support for older adults with chronic disease and their caregivers.

“We are thrilled to partner with Astellas to help better serve our patients in need with chronic medical conditions,” said Arielle Basch, Senior Director, JASA Health Services. “Through this collaboration, we aim to address a disproportionately high prevalence of chronic disease and preventable hospitalizations through an effective community-based intervention that addresses the social determinants of health.”

The seven-week, interactive workshops will be offered at JASA’s network of community centers including senior centers and retirement communities in North Brooklyn and the Northeast Bronx. They are for people age 55 and older with chronic disease and their caregivers. The workshops will launch in August 2019.