Dr. Ahunna Okwubunka-Anyim greets a visitor at a CenterWell Senior Primary Care facility, where the care team — including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and care coordinators — takes a whole-person approach to care.
North Carolina is aging fast. By 2042, the state’s 65-and-older population will grow by approximately 48%, making seniors the fastest-growing age group in the state. As this demographic grows, so do their healthcare needs. Nearly 95% of adults over age 60 live with at least one chronic condition, and more than 78% have multiple ongoing health concerns such as diabetes, hypertension or osteoarthritis. These realities make it clear: We need a strong approach to caring for older adults.
That’s where senior-focused primary care comes in.
CenterWell Senior Primary Care is proud to bring our comprehensive, personalized model of care to North Carolina’s Triad Region, offering holistic care for seniors at facilities in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Burlington. Our centers are purpose-built for older adults, with specialized care teams and a focus on identifying and addressing the full spectrum of health concerns — physical, emotional and social.
With the dramatic increase in our senior population, the importance of accessible, quality healthcare for older adults has never been more critical. Senior-focused primary care is proving to be an effective approach, delivering the comprehensive care and support services seniors need, including those living in underserved communities.
Our whole-person approach allows physicians to spend extra time with each patient — up to 50% more than typical healthcare providers. This allows us to build stronger patient-provider relationships and spot early warning signs of health issues that might otherwise be missed. It also gives us the opportunity to dive deeper into what’s going on outside the exam room, like food insecurity, loneliness or transportation challenges.
CenterWell Senior Primary Care, which recently opened 3 Triad Region locations, works with the community to ensure seniors have the resources needed to live more active, healthy lives, including addressing food insecurity. As part of that commitment, CenterWell donated $10,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank during an event earlier this year.
Addressing lifestyle factors affecting health is a key part of our care model. We embed social workers into our care teams to connect patients with local resources — from transportation services to housing assistance and food programs. Our centers have specialists on staff to screen, support and refer older adults facing anxiety, depression or cognitive decline — ensuring mental health is addressed alongside physical health.
In addition to designing these personalized plans for patients that include helping with social, behavioral and financial needs, the care team coordinates with medical specialists to ensure the patient is receiving optimal care and assists them in navigating an often-daunting healthcare system. A recent study on senior-focused primary care reports that this proactive approach leads to better access and quality of care, narrowing racial and socioeconomic disparities.
Dr. Ahunna Okwubunka-Anyim
As a physician, I’ve seen the difference this model makes — not just in numbers, but in the lives of our patients. When we take time to understand the full picture, we deliver care that is truly effective, compassionate and life-changing.
We’re here to help older adults stay healthy and connected to the people and activities they love. Our new centers in Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Burlington are open and serving seniors enrolled in a variety of Medicare Advantage plans and those with original Medicare. These new centers join our existing 13 locations across North Carolina.
To learn more about the benefits of senior-focused primary care or to find one of our new locations within North Carolina, visit centerwellprimarycare.com.
