12.28.11 A program designed to help some senior citizens avoid quick return trips to the hospital is expanding from the Baton Rouge area to Lafayette, Hammond, Covington and the Northshore.

The federally funded program is aimed at reducing Medicare costs by stopping revolving door hospital admissions. The idea is to curb health-care spending and keep chronically ill patients healthier.

At the heart of the program is a “health coach” who works with patients so they have the information essential to their well-being when they are discharged from the hospital — information that would prevent a quick return because of a relapse.