Framing Community-Based Aphasia Services Using the Chronic Care Model

Abstract

Chronic condition frameworks serve to provide lasting support for the life of the patient and their diagnosis through a proactive approach involving education, involvement of the patient, and strengthening the collaboration between the patient and health professionals. The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is comprised of six components used to support individuals within the community and health system. This framework has been used across a multitude of chronic conditions. The CCM supports improvements in the quality of life, care, and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic conditions. However, such implementation has been far less transparent among individuals with stroke, and even less so among individuals with aphasia. This project discusses the potential benefits of the CCM for people with aphasia and, additionally, applies the framework to the current service delivery paradigm of the Chippewa Valley Aphasia Network (CVAN), a non-profit collaboration among the organization, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and Mayo Clinic Health System. The programming of the CVAN was mapped across the six components of the CCM, which identified areas in need of alignment to serve as the impetus for upcoming programmatic changes to better support individuals with aphasia and their families throughout the Chippewa Valley.