Listen to this articleFellowship Medical Group and FellowshipLIFE launched a new program for older adults to help provide individualized care backed by genetic testing.
The Personalized Genetic Wellness program is available to older adult residents of premier Life Plan Communities in New Jersey provider FellowshipLIFE — as well as greater community members and the public.
The service combines advanced genetic testing with expert genetic counseling to help patients and their doctors make informed decisions about prevention, early detection and treatment, according to the Basking Ridge-based organization.
The Personalized Genetic Wellness offering can help assess risks for conditions such as cardiovascular, cancer, neurological, diabetes and obesity, and immunodeficiency disorders, along with pulmonary conditions and autism spectrum disorder. The program is also able to provide insights about how an individual’s body may respond to certain medications. FellowshipLIFE noted that identifying risks early can also help save on health costs.
Dr. Arnold Pallay serves as consultant for Personalized Genetic Wellness. He said the diagnostic endeavor “adds another arm of analysis to a physician’s toolbox.”
“Genetic testing can identify information that other forms of testing, such as blood labs, physical examinations and lab testing may miss. It’s not the future. It’s here now and available to patients,” Pallay added.
How it works
The testing starts with a simple saliva test, collected at Fellowship Medical Group. Results take about three weeks. Patients will then review their results with a Fellowship Medical Group doctor at the Basking Ridge clinic.
To create a personalized care plan, doctors analyze a patient’s genetic makeup along with their personal health and family history. These roadmaps aim to balance lifestyle changes with clinical treatments, FellowshipLIFE said.
Part of FellowshipLIFE, Fellowship Medical Group focuses on health and wellness care, specializing in primary care for adults 50-plus and specialty geriatric care. In addition to the Somerset County location, it serves residents at Applewood Village in Freehold and at Pines Village in Whiting Township.
The Basking Ridge clinic provides services five days a week.
FellowshipLIFE operates with a mindset for transforming the aging experience. The Personalized Genetic Wellness program signifies another landmark on that path.
“Today’s boomer generation is redefining what it means to age well,” said Elizabeth Fandel, chief marketing and innovation officer, FellowshipLIFE.
“They are proactive, informed, and deeply investing in living longer and stronger. The Personalized Genetic Wellness program reflects that shift … This is not about care, it is about optimization and freedom to live with purpose, vitality, and confidence at every age.”
