More Advanced-Illness Medical Care Now Available

Capital Caring Health Expands its Primary Care at Home in South Arlington, Thanks to the Washington Forrest Foundation

Falls Church, VA (January 23, 2023) Thanks to a generous grant from the Washington Forrest Foundation, more home-limited older adults in Arlington County can now benefit from Capital Caring Health’s comprehensive healthcare services.  

The award will allow Capital Caring Health (CCH) to expand its Primary Care at Home Program, which delivers care to chronically ill patients in the comfort and convenience of their home. With a special focus on South Arlington, this expansion will assist CCH’s efforts to make healthcare more accessible to everyone, especially communities of color and other traditionally underserved members of the community. 

“Home-limited seniors, particularly in underserved socioeconomic regions, often do not receive the medical care they deserve,” says Heidi Young, M.D., Primary Care at Home’s Medical Director and Associate Chief Medical Officer for CCH, the oldest and most established provider of elder health, hospice, and advanced illness care in the mid-Atlantic region. “For the underinsured and uninsured who lack equitable access to necessary medical care, this increased support enables Capital Caring Health to meet patients where they are by delivering transportation services, supplementary meals, and essential medical supplies.”  

Launched in 2019, Primary Care at Home (PCAH) assures that home-limited individuals receive vital care regardless of issues with access, including mobility or finances. CCH’s integrated healthcare service aims to keep chronic conditions in check, preventing more intensive and expensive care. With a dedicated care team attending to physical and emotional health needs, PCAH provides the opportunity for our older patients to age in place, with safety and dignity. Services include:  

• House calls by doctors, nurse practitioners, and social workers who specialize in the care of older adults with advanced illness
• Mobile technology to perform in-home diagnostic tests such as blood work, X-rays, and ultrasound
• 24/7 coordination of care so our team is always available by phone to arrange for primary and urgent care, or for specialists, hospital, or support services

The grant will also be used to expand free grief counseling and telehealth services in the Arlington community. 

“This development will greatly impact our most vulnerable communities, helping Capital Caring Health to close equity gaps and better accommodate patient needs,” concludes Dr. Young. We are so grateful to the Washington Forrest Foundation for their support and shared concern for the health, welfare, and quality of life of Arlington’s seniors. 

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About Capital Caring Health: Capital Caring Health is a not-for-profit, community-based organization founded in the nation’s capital in 1977. Capital Caring Health is one of the most experienced and respected providers in the nation of advanced illness, hospice and elder care including primary care at home. Our care for children with life–limiting disease is the largest on the East Coast. Additional services focus on the special care needs of veterans, and those with heart failure and end-stage lung disease. More than $3 million annually funds care for those who lack coverage or the necessary financial resources for services. Almost 90 cents of every dollar go to caring for patients and their families. Over the years, Capital Caring Health has provided hospice, palliative care, and counseling to nearly 120,000 patients and their families through our regional neighborhood network across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. 

About the Washington Forrest Foundation: Established in 1968, the Washington Forrest Foundation seeks to improve and advance the quality of life in South Arlington, Virginia. The foundation invests in programs and organizations that support economic development through safety net services, education, and community development. They currently support over 50 nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of South Arlington residents, including the Arlington Free Clinic, the Arlington Food Assistance Center, and Bridges to Independence.