Prince George's health systems describe upgrades, blame lagging public ratings and call for community partnerships

Officials from local hospital systems and community representatives discussed clinical services, recent investments and public quality ratings during a meeting of the Holistic Sustainable Solutions for Senior Citizens Task Force.

Dr. Dia Boltman, a family physician and the family medicine residency program director at University of Maryland Capital Region Health, told the task force about where county seniors receive care and the hospital’s outreach to nursing homes and assisted‑living facilities. "About 90 percent of adults that are 65 would prefer to age in their home place," she said, and she described efforts to expand home‑based supports, outpatient specialty clinics and relationships with long‑term care providers.

The task force convened to gather information for recommendations on seniors’ services; the hospital presentations were aimed at explaining available services and gaps. Members raised concerns about third‑party quality ratings such as LeapFrog and CMS star ratings and pressed the hospitals on recruitment and investment.

Why it matters: Seniors’ access to primary, specialty and post‑acute care affects where families seek treatment and how quickly hospitals…