When Hopscotch celebrated our Boone clinic’s grand opening, Jean Bennett was first in line. “I was on the waitlist before they opened up,” she says with a laugh.
Hopscotch’s timing was perfect for Jean. She’d just learned her longtime doctor’s office was closing and was in need of a new provider. She never imagined she’d find one who specialized in comprehensive healthcare for seniors so close to home.
“The care I get with Hopscotch is excellent,” she shares, adding, “They’ve made it easier for me to get to the doctor. It’s also easier to talk to my doctor. They’ve made things simpler for me,” she states, reflecting on how Hopscotch improved her access to quality care. “It’s easy to feel frustrated when you can’t get what you need,” she continues, “but I never feel that way with Hopscotch. They make sure I feel my best and that means I get to do the things that I enjoy.”
That includes running her community’s Bridge Club. Jean cherishes this activity and wants to continue it as long as she can. She’s grateful Hopscotch helps support her lifestyle goals, taking care to consider her life outside of the clinic.
At nearly 89, Jean admits her concept of wellness has evolved. “For me now,” she explains, “wellness means being able to get up and go.”
With several chronic conditions, Jean recognizes that health at her age can be a moving target. She’s thankful Hopscotch helps her stay on top of her health needs and goals. “They help me stay moving so I can do the things I love,” she says.
“I have some heart problems, and I have arthritis and neuropathy,” she explains, adding, “I walk with a rollator. Because of my neuropathy, I’ve had some trouble with falling. I take several different medications for my conditions.”
“I’m grateful for Hopscotch’s support in helping me manage my chronic conditions,” she states, adding, “They help me keep things on an even keel. And I know if I need something, Hopscotch is here for me.”
Jean speaks from lived experience on that last point. There have been times she’s been unable to make it into the clinic. But that didn’t stop Hopscotch from providing the care she needed.
“They go above and beyond for me,” she shares, explaining, “I can call them on the phone or else they’ll send a nurse if they need to. I’ve called them with questions and concerns and they’ve helped me figure things out.”
This past October, Jean came down with COVID. During her quarantine period, she developed severe sinus congestion. Hopscotch’s nurse, Colleen, came to her independent living community to check on her. She saw Jean needed medicine to help with her sinuses and make her more comfortable.
Unfortunately, Jean’s daughter was out of town and couldn’t pick up the medicine. Instead of waiting, Colleen went to the local drugstore herself on a Friday afternoon to get the medicine for Jean so she wouldn’t have to go the weekend without it. “It really helped,” Jean admits. “I appreciate their concern and am very pleased with their service. They’re here for me when I need them.”
Working with Hopscotch makes Jean feel more supported and in control of her health. It also helps her rest easy, knowing someone is looking out for her in more ways than one. “I know they take care of a lot of things behind the scenes for me, like making sure everything is as it should be and working with my other doctors. That gives me peace of mind,” she explains.
Jean has a great rapport with her Hopscotch provider and feels comfortable asking her questions. “I see Kari Morris and I love her,” she shares, “She’s very sweet and never rushes me,” she says, adding, “She listens and helps and points me in the right direction for anything I need.”
When issues and changes arise, Jean’s grateful to have Kari and the rest of the Hopscotch Boone team in her corner. “I have psoriasis that’s been giving me problems lately in my scalp,” she explains, “Kari’s given me a lot of advice to help me deal with that. I just got some shampoo she recommended. That’s the latest,” she says, “but she gives me advice on all sorts of things.”
Jean also contends with chronic sinusitis. She’s glad Kari is there to support her in dealing with this condition, including prescribing her antibiotics “when it gets bad and I need them.”
Kari also supports Jean in reaching her health goals—both long and short-term.
“We’re working on keeping me walking. That’s the main thing,” she explains. “It’s important for me to feel connected and to be able to go out and do things. I run the Bridge Club here, so I want to keep doing that. We have an active group and I teach students how to play. Hopscotch helps me to be able to do that.”
Jean appreciates the care Hopscotch provides and how they go above and beyond for her. She’s glad to have a partner who supports and encourages her health goals.
“I’m trying to take care of my health the best I can, so I follow what Kari tells me,” she says, adding, “She helps me keep up with my medications. Whenever I have something that needs refilling, they always call right away and make sure it’s ready.”
“I know Hopscotch is in my corner,” she states, adding, “Sometimes, they’ll just call to check in and see how I’m doing. It makes me feel good. If they haven’t seen me in a while, they’ll call to make sure I’m doing ok. I don’t know another doctor’s office that does that.”
Jean also has chronic kidney disease, which she credits Hopscotch with helping her manage. “They’re helping me keep track of that and check it a lot. The last time they did,” she shares, “it was even a little bit better than the time before, so that was good.”
In addition to her bond with Kari, Jean feels connected to the whole Hopscotch team. “Everyone in the clinic is very pleasant and greets you by name. They never keep you waiting long for your appointment,” she says, “and they never try to rush you out of there in ten minutes.” Hopscotch’s warm, welcoming environment contributes to her comfort level and overall care experience.
Hopscotch gives Jean access to quality healthcare that’s designed for people in her season of life. “They make it easier for me to get my health needs met,” she explains, adding “And if I can’t make it there, they will come to me.”
“At my age, I want to keep everything in balance with my health,” she shares. “Hopscotch helps me rest easy, knowing they’re there when I need them now and that they’ll be there for me if anything changes. They help me manage things.”
For now, Jean visits the Hopscotch clinic every six weeks to target her goals of health maintenance and chronic condition management. She also knows she can easily connect with Hopscotch anytime she has a need or something unexpected arises. “It’s wonderful to have them,” she says, adding, “I recommend them to all my friends.”
No matter what the future holds, Jean Bennett feels confident and supported facing it with Hopscotch Primary Care in her corner.
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