Cariloop partners with Walgreens to support MS patients, caregivers

Cariloop has teamed up with Walgreens to provide support services at select neurology-specialty pharmacies to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their caregivers.

Through its caregiver platform, Cariloop offers services such as professional counseling and cloud-based tools to help families manage challenges and plan for caregiving-associated activities.

By combining Walgreens pharmacy services with care coaches from Cariloop, the collaboration is aimed at improving access to treatment and care.

“We are on a mission to decrease national healthcare costs and improve health outcomes, while also ensuring no one goes through their caregiving journey alone,” Wendy Whittington, MD, chief care officer at Cariloop, said in a company press release. “We are proud to work with forward-thinking businesses like Walgreens that recognize the growing need for caregiver support systems to relieve some of the burden for those living with MS and their families.”

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Cariloop offers a support program that pairs caregivers with healthcare professionals, called care coaches, to help alleviate the burden and isolation they may be experiencing and guide families through care. This includes help with managing medications, accessing the right doctor or healthcare provider, or understanding an insurance policy.

A first step after signing up in the platform and being paired with a care coach is a coaching session over the phone or by video to identify the family’s needs and develop a plan to address issues. The coach can also help guide caregivers through the next steps in care.

The goal is to assist with researching resources, provide emotional support, and relieve some of the stress and anxiety associated with caregiving.

Cariloop’s care portal is a cloud-based application that lets family members involved in care collaborate and communicate with a coach. It can also securely store all the documents associated with caregiving.

“The average caregiver spends more than 24 hours a week on caregiving tasks, and this number is likely compounded when navigating care for a complex medical condition like MS. These caregivers and their loved ones are overwhelmed and need support as they balance the demands of home and work life,” Whittington said.

Walgreens community-based specialty pharmacies provide in-person support for patients who require specialty medications and care for chronic conditions like MS. They are often located near medical offices and health centers. They also provide services such as injection training, managing medication side effects, and financial assistance.

Through Dec. 31, the Cariloop program will be available at these pharmacy locations:

• 5149 W. Thunderbird Road, Suite 51, Glendale, Arizona
• 8490 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, California
• 860 Johnson Ferry Road, Sandy Springs, Georgia
• 912 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago
• 32395 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills, Michigan
• 1409 11th Avenue, Seattle
• 2265 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.