Health Scores Near 17224, Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania
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The Provider Score for the Alzheimers Score in 17224, Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania is 86 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.
An estimate of 99.82 percent of the residents in 17224 has some form of health insurance. 39.45 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 79.60 percent of the residents have private health insurance, either through their employer or direct purchase. Military veterans should know that percent of the residents in the ZIP Code of 17224 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.
For the 215 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 10 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 17224. An estimate of 1 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 382 residents over the age of 65 years.
In a 20-mile radius, there are 8,696 health care providers accessible to residents in 17224, Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania.
Health Scores in 17224, Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania
| Alzheimers Score | 92 |
|---|---|
| People Score | 42 |
| Provider Score | 86 |
| Hospital Score | 69 |
| Travel Score | 71 |
| 17224 | Fort Loudon | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providers per 10,000 residents | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Pediatricians per 10,000 residents under 18 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Geriatricians per 10,000 residents over 65 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
The task requires an analysis of healthcare resources in a specific geographic area, focusing on Alzheimer's care, primary care availability, and related factors. This analysis will rank doctors in ZIP Code 17224 and assess primary care access in Fort Loudon, Pennsylvania, considering physician-to-patient ratios, standout practices, telemedicine adoption, and mental health resources.
The challenge lies in the absence of a readily available "Alzheimer's Score" or a definitive ranking system for physicians based on their Alzheimer's care capabilities. This analysis will therefore construct a hypothetical framework based on available data and general healthcare standards to provide a meaningful assessment. The absence of real-time, comprehensive data means this is an informed hypothetical analysis, not a precise statistical ranking.
**Physician-to-Patient Ratios and Primary Care Availability**
ZIP Code 17224, encompassing Fort Loudon and surrounding areas, is a rural region. Physician-to-patient ratios are often a significant indicator of healthcare access, particularly for primary care, which serves as the gateway to specialized care, including Alzheimer's diagnosis and management. Data from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) or similar sources, if available, would be crucial in determining the actual physician-to-patient ratio. A low ratio, meaning fewer physicians per capita, suggests potential challenges in accessing timely primary care appointments, which is the first step for many individuals experiencing cognitive decline.
The availability of primary care physicians in Fort Loudon directly impacts the ability of residents to receive early diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease. A robust primary care network, with enough physicians to meet the community's needs, is vital. This includes not only the number of physicians but also their willingness to accept new patients, their office hours, and their ability to provide comprehensive care.
**Standout Practices and Alzheimer's Care Focus**
Identifying "standout practices" requires evaluating the practices within the ZIP code based on their specific Alzheimer's care offerings. This would involve researching practices that:
* **Offer comprehensive cognitive assessments:** These assessments are essential for early detection and diagnosis.
* **Employ physicians with specialized training:** Board-certified geriatricians or neurologists with expertise in Alzheimer's disease are highly desirable.
* **Provide care coordination:** This includes connecting patients with specialists, support groups, and other resources.
* **Have a strong focus on patient and caregiver education:** Providing information and support is crucial for managing the disease.
* **Participate in clinical trials or research:** This indicates a commitment to advancing Alzheimer's care.
Information on these aspects is usually found on practice websites, through patient reviews, or by contacting the practices directly.
**Telemedicine Adoption**
Telemedicine has the potential to improve healthcare access, particularly in rural areas. The adoption of telemedicine by primary care physicians and specialists in ZIP Code 17224 is an important factor. Telemedicine can facilitate:
* **Virtual consultations:** Patients can consult with physicians remotely, reducing the need for travel.
* **Remote monitoring:** Devices can be used to monitor patients' health at home, providing valuable data to their physicians.
* **Medication management:** Telemedicine can be used to manage medications and ensure patients are taking them correctly.
* **Access to specialists:** Patients can consult with specialists who may not be available locally.
Assessing telemedicine adoption involves examining practice websites and contacting practices to inquire about their telemedicine capabilities.
**Mental Health Resources**
Alzheimer's disease often presents with behavioral and psychological symptoms. Access to mental health resources is therefore critical for patients and their caregivers. The analysis must consider the availability of:
* **Psychiatrists:** Physicians specializing in mental health disorders.
* **Psychologists:** Professionals who provide therapy and counseling.
* **Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs):** Professionals who provide therapy and support.
* **Support groups:** Groups that provide emotional support and practical advice for patients and caregivers.
Identifying these resources involves searching online directories, contacting local hospitals and clinics, and consulting with community organizations.
**Hypothetical Alzheimer's Score Framework**
Given the absence of a formal "Alzheimer's Score," a hypothetical framework can be constructed. This framework would weight different factors to create a composite score. For example:
* **Physician-to-patient ratio:** A higher ratio would negatively impact the score.
* **Number of primary care physicians:** A lower number would negatively impact the score.
* **Presence of geriatricians or neurologists:** Their presence would positively impact the score.
* **Telemedicine adoption:** Widespread adoption would positively impact the score.
* **Availability of mental health resources:** A greater availability would positively impact the score.
* **Presence of practices with specialized Alzheimer's care programs:** This would positively impact the score.
Each factor would be assigned a weight based on its relative importance. The scores for each factor would be combined to produce an overall Alzheimer's Score for the area.
**Specific Analysis for ZIP Code 17224 and Fort Loudon**
Based on the hypothetical framework, an analysis of ZIP Code 17224 and Fort Loudon would involve:
1. **Data Collection:** Gathering data on physician-to-patient ratios, the number of primary care physicians, the presence of specialists, telemedicine adoption, and mental health resources.
2. **Practice Research:** Investigating the practices within the ZIP code to identify those with specialized Alzheimer's care programs.
3. **Resource Assessment:** Assessing the availability of mental health resources, including psychiatrists, psychologists, LCSWs, and support groups.
4. **Scoring:** Applying the hypothetical scoring framework to produce an overall Alzheimer's Score.
5. **Ranking:** Ranking the physicians and practices based on their scores.
This analysis would provide a valuable assessment of the healthcare resources available to individuals with Alzheimer's disease in the area. It would highlight areas of strength and areas where improvements are needed.
**Conclusion**
While a definitive "Alzheimer's Score" for physicians in ZIP Code 17224 and primary care availability in Fort Loudon is impossible without comprehensive data, a structured analysis based on the factors outlined above can provide a meaningful assessment. The availability of primary care physicians, the presence of specialists, the adoption of telemedicine, and the availability of mental health resources are all critical factors in providing quality Alzheimer's care.
To visualize the geographical distribution of healthcare resources and identify potential gaps in care, consider using CartoChrome maps. CartoChrome maps can provide a powerful tool for understanding the healthcare landscape and making informed decisions about resource allocation.
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