Erickson Living’s integrated care system works seamlessly for residents
Dr. Brian Tremaine is the medical director at Eagle’s Trace
When Dennis McKeever and his wife Cathy moved to Sugar Land, Texas, from Savannah, Georgia, in 2014, they knew their new home was just down the road from the largest medical center in the world, Texas Medical Center.
“There are so many options for outstanding medical care in Houston,” says Dennis, who received his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, then joined the Dow Chemical Company where he served as senior vice president for global research and development. After retiring from Dow, Dennis spent twenty years working in the biomedical sciences, primarily in medical diagnostics, oncology drug discovery, and optical microscope development for ophthalmologists.
Dennis and Cathy moved once more in 2018, trading their Sugar Land home for the maintenance-free lifestyle at Eagle’s Trace, the Erickson Living-managed community in West Houston.
Located on 72 scenic acres just south of I-10, Eagle’s Trace offers spacious apartment homes in a variety of floor plans, all with easy access to a host of amenities and services, including a swimming pool, fitness center, restaurants, and a convenient on-site medical center.
In a city with world-class healthcare, the medical center at Eagle’s Trace is no exception. The Erickson Health Medical Group is the largest and most completely integrated health and wellness system for older adults in the senior housing industry.
“We’re fortunate to have a dedicated team of board-certified full-time physicians on campus who are always accessible to residents, whether they need an in-person visit to the medical center, a telehealth appointment, or even a house-call in their apartment,” says Lakeisha Piper, medical center practice administrator.
Exceptional health outcomes
The medical center is staffed by two full time physicians, Dr. Brian Tremaine, medical director, and Dr. Raina Patel, as well as a nurse practitioner and social worker.
When Dennis and Cathy moved to Eagle’s Trace, they changed primary care providers, opting to see Dr. Tremaine, who has practiced at Eagle’s Trace since 2011.
“The medical center at Eagle’s Trace implements so many standards of best practice,” says Tremaine. “From the certified emergency medical technicians who are on-site 24 hours a day to the electronic medical records system, Eagle’s Trace offers several layers of care for residents.”
From a medical standpoint, Tremaine appreciates the standards for doctor-patient interactions.
“The standard they have here, a full 30 minutes for each appointment, allows me to go over each patient’s needs in depth,” says Tremaine. “In many other clinics, it’s all about the number of patients a doctor can see in a day. Erickson Living takes a different view.”
It’s an approach that gives residents convenient access to the best in senior health care.
“Dr. Tremaine looks at the overall picture,” says Dennis, who currently serves as the chairperson of the Eagle’s Trace Health and Wellness Committee. “He looks at the number of medications you’re taking and the dose rate of those medications. In my case, he reduced the dose rate of a medication and I’ve had no adverse reactions, no side effects, no problems at all. The less medications you take, the better. Dr. Tremaine has also made solid referrals to specialists.”
Cathy, too, has benefitted from the onsite health care offerings. After a knee replacement surgery in January 2020, Cathy recovered in the continuing care neighborhood at Eagle’s Trace, just a short walk from the couple’s apartment, where she received physical and occupational therapy.
“She was able to walk over to the continuing care neighborhood for therapy when she returned to our apartment,” says Dennis. “That’s one of the advantages of having everything we need right on campus. On top of that, the therapists are outstanding.”
Care Path program
For those who want to keep their primary care provider when they move to Eagle’s Trace, the medical center offers the Care Path program, which includes an annual visit to the medical center to get to know one of the doctors at Eagle’s Trace.
“The Care Path program allows us to keep a record of your important information like medications and allergies,” says Piper. “If you ever have an emergency or unexpected health concern, we already have your medical history and can help you right away.”
It’s an option that appealed to Molly Roe, who moved to Eagle’s Trace in September 2018.
“I have an annual check-up with Dr. Patel, and I’m also able to complete any lab work in the medical center at Eagle’s Trace, which is very convenient,” says Roe. “The Care Path program allows me to retain my primary care provider while still having access to all the services in the medical center.”
The community’s approach to health and wellness incorporates innovative solutions for changing times. This year, the medical team is going door-to-door to resident apartments offering the flu vaccine. Providers are wearing full personal protective equipment to ensure the vaccines are administered in the safest manner possible.
“Our integrated health and wellness system is unmatched in the senior living industry,” says Erickson Living’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Matt Narrett. “Our communities have a culture of wellness where opportunities for healthy living abound.”
About Eagle’s Trace: Eagle’s Trace, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities developed and managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 72-acre campus in West Houston, Texas. The not-for-profit community of more than 970 residents and 500 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, who provide independent financial and operational oversight. Additional information can be found at http://EaglesTraceCommunity.
