Healthcare for seniors practiced the way it should be, personalized and unhurried with Spry Senior

By Mary Malik

Time is a commodity we all cherish. The last thing we want to do is waste it waiting for just about anything. Waiting at the doctor’s office is annoying, can cause anxiety, and may even stop us from seeking the healthcare we need just to avoid the hassle. Spry Senior in Solon is healthcare for seniors aged 65 and over looking for a connection with a dedicated medical provider who takes the time necessary to provide complete medical care as part of a convenient and seamless experience.

“This is a very personal approach to medical care that you don’t see much anymore,” says Executive Director Laurie Delgado. “Patients wait for appointments, wait to see the doctor, wait for tests, and wait for results. Spry Senior has reimagined that whole experience by offering a streamlined and personal approach to helping seniors maintain healthy lives.”

Jeffrey Rosenberg, M.D., primary care provider at Spry Senior with more than 30 years of experience in internal medicine, describes this transition in his medical career as “life-changing” certainly for his patients, but also for himself.

“I joined Spry Senior because I believe in the philosophy of creating a connection with my patients, slowing the process down and having time to give them my undivided attention to explore not just their medical issues, but also their lives,” says Dr. Rosenberg. “Understanding people’s routines helps a great deal when treating them for just about anything.”

When discussing his career as a physician, Dr. Rosenberg talks about the frustration caused by the lack of time to talk to his patients.

“Everything was a time crunch,” says Dr. Rosenberg. “Having only a few minutes to spend with my patients was stressful. It was difficult to deliver the service I wanted to give. With Spry Senior I feel like a small-town doctor. I enjoy the convenience of the office, the partnerships with the community and even running into patients in town. The gift of time is a great thing to be able to give.”

Your experience at Spry Senior starts with Clinical Associate Michelle Mixon-Cummings. Whether you’re calling on the phone or walking in the door for your appointment you are greeted by Michelle’s friendly and efficient demeanor to gather your information and guide you through your visit.

“Michelle handles the ‘rooming process’ for new patients by guiding them through an extensive care questionnaire that covers their health and lifestyle,” says Laurie. “This gives Dr. Rosenberg information on everything from physical conditions and mental health to diet, housing and family history. It’s a critical piece of the care plan we develop for each patient.”

Dr. Rosenberg says that more time with patients allows him to do more himself and not have to refer people to specialists.

“There are procedures I can do but had to refer to specialists because I didn’t have the time,” says Dr. Rosenberg. “At Spry, the patients can get those things done right here. They don’t have to make another appointment and go through that process unnecessarily. Often patients won’t go and end up not receiving the care they need. We avoid that here.”

At Spry Senior, it’s recommended that patients are seen four to five times a year, either in-person or via a telehealth visit.

“More frequent visits allow us to pick up on subtle changes,” says Dr. Rosenberg. “Talking with people gives me clues on how to help make healthy changes without pharmaceutical intervention. Not every answer comes on a prescription pad.”

Spry Senior patients can get most of their preventative screenings here and because of the extra time spent with patients, Dr. Rosenberg can address issues like quitting smoking, mental health and other things.

“It’s easy for a doctor to say, ‘quit smoking’ on his way out the door,” says Dr. Rosenberg. “I can now take the time to help patients come up with a sustainable plan and explore options for a healthier life in so many ways both physically and mentally.”

For urgent issues, Spry Senior can often get patients in the same day. This access is helping people live their best lives.

“We partner with resources in the community like the senior center and promote fitness classes and other community events that encourage activity and socialization,” says Laurie. “Spry Senior wants to be the first line of defense for patients. No need to go to urgent care clinics when you’re sick or worry about navigating the hospital emergency room. With Spry Senior, you have a doctor available to you and a van providing transportation if needed.”

The process of getting care can be overwhelming, especially for seniors. Spry Senior is bringing back the personal experience of seeing the doctor.

Spry Senior is located at 5855 Harper Rd. Suite A, in Solon. For more information or to schedule a consultation call Michelle at 440-592-6171 or check the website SprySenior.com.