Face-to-face interventions help chronically ill.

Face-to-face interventions help chronically ill

George is a 67-year-old man with diabetes, cardiac problems, and asthma who takes more than 10 medications. He is insulin- and oxygen-dependent, lives alone, and is illiterate.

When Vicki Manning, RN, began visiting George in his home as part of the LifeMasters Supported Self-Care Medicare demonstration program for dual-eligible beneficiaries with multiple chronic illnesses, it took several sessions to build up enough rapport for George to admit that he never learned to read and write.

Using pictures and drawings, Manning taught George about his illness and how to manage his medication and treatment regimen.

She drew symbols on his medicine bottles and on a chart to help him learn when to take each medication.

After six months …