Articles tagged with Home Care
A study found significant disparities in Medicare-funded home health services across US counties, highlighting socioeconomic disadvantage and inadequate care access. Nearly a quarter of counties lacked sufficient clinicians, exacerbating the vulnerability of homebound Medicare beneficiaries.
A new NIH grant will survey healthcare workers caring for people with dementia, gathering data to inform better care and policy. The study aims to understand workforce shortages, payment policies, and regulation, with a focus on direct care workers often overlooked.
The North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) has made foundational contributions to primary care research, including practice-based networks and community-based participatory research. The organization's future depends on strengthening primary care and primary care research with stronger support, infrastructure, training, an...
A new Michigan State University and Corewell Health research found that in-home prenatal services can significantly reduce the risk of premature births and infant deaths. Pregnant individuals receiving enhanced prenatal care saw a 57% reduced risk, while expectant Black mothers experienced an even greater reduction.
A study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that childhood survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are at high risk of readmission within two months after discharge. The research suggests that targeted interventions such as telephonic contact, follow-up clinics, and home health care may help reduce readmission rates.
Research finds antipsychotics used inappropriately among home-bound patients with Alzheimer's disease, leading to poorer patient outcomes. Commonly used antipsychotic quetiapine is often prescribed based on behavioral symptoms and limited daily activities.
A cross-sectional study across Japan, Ireland, and Finland found that the willingness to use care robots was highest in Japan (77.1%) and lowest in Finland (52.8%). A conceptual model explained the correlation between ethical perceptions and social implementation of care robots across three countries with different geographies, demogra...
Researchers highlight concerns among healthcare providers about patients with cognitive decline living alone, who are vulnerable to missing medical appointments and failing to respond to follow-up phone calls. The study emphasizes the need for improved support systems to prevent untreated medical conditions, self-neglect, and falls.
The new online course, “Understanding Spinal Cord Injury: A Course for Personal Care Assistants,” enhances training for PCAs to provide quality assistance services for individuals with spinal cord injury. The four-module course covers topics such as building relationships, managing blood pressure, and transferring clients safely.
A Cochrane review reveals that organizational interventions can reduce the use of physical restraints in care home residents by 14%, without increasing falls or fall-related injuries. Supportive managers play a crucial role in implementing these interventions, which improve knowledge, skills, and strategies among frontline staff.
A simulated study found that patients face challenges registering with primary care physicians, even when they have a nearby doctor. The research revealed that doctors are less likely to accept new patients requiring time-consuming procedures or working in areas with low PCP density.
Participation in a home visiting program reduced risk of adverse birth outcomes by up to 23% among Medicaid recipients. Black individuals saw greater risk reductions, highlighting disparities in prenatal and postnatal care.
The study found that relatives have an important role in home hospitals, providing emotional support and guidance during the treatment process. Relatives reported conflicting feelings about being involved, but ultimately felt satisfied with the experience and would contribute again if needed.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased mortality rates among people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Notably, excess deaths in nursing home/long-term care settings declined in pandemic year 2.
The American Heart Association has introduced a new telehealth certification program to standardize training for healthcare providers in telehealth care delivery. This certification aims to improve patient outcomes by integrating telehealth into clinical practice.
A recent study found that elderly patients treated in local intermediate care units have lower mortality rates and fewer hospital readmissions. The research suggests that Norway's healthcare system has improved with the introduction of these units, providing better integrated services adapted to individual users.
The study found that taking home methadone doses increased deaths of black and hispanic men but had little effect on the other demographic groups. Relaxing methadone restrictions may help certain at-risk groups, addressing the heterogeneity in treatment.
State palliative care laws are associated with an increased likelihood of dying at home or in hospice among decedents from cancer. Passage of these laws may be an effective policy intervention to increase the number of seriously ill patients who experience their death in such locations.
The US has implemented laws banning transgender youth from competing in sports according to their gender identity. However, existing evidence does not support these restrictions, as they would deprive vulnerable trans youth of physical, mental, and social benefits. The article proposes changes to promote a more inclusive and fair athle...
A new study by the University of Cologne and IAB found that school closures during the pandemic reduced working hours for parents due to childcare obligations. Reopening schools led to a rebound in working hours, with parents who had access to care or schooling attending work about 1.5-2 hours more per week than those without.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that home healthcare clinics, especially enhanced ones, provide better emergency and end-of-life care than general clinics. This research suggests a shift towards more effective home care support for an aging population in Japan.
A new study from the University of Kansas emphasizes the importance of including unpaid care work in economic statistics, highlighting women's significant contributions to the economy. The study aims to provide a more complete understanding of labor activity and inform equitable public policy.
Repetitive manual dexterity training for 12 weeks improves executive function and boosts cognitive load patterns in older adults. Daily training has a positive correlation with active blood hemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex.
A study investigated the effect of cancer patients' location during their final hours on survival. The results showed that patients who received treatment and care at home had longer survival times compared to those in palliative care wards, especially when prognosis was expected in months or weeks.
A nationwide study of nearly 10,000 adults identifies 12 hallmarks of long COVID, including debilitating fatigue, loss of smell or taste, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The findings provide a new scoring system for clinicians to define and investigate treatments for patients with long COVID.
A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature links continuity of the doctor-patient relationship to reduced healthcare costs and increased appropriate care utilization. The study found that interpersonal continuity remains significantly associated with lower healthcare costs and more effective care usage across various studies.
A study by UMC Utrecht shows that corona patients can measure their blood oxygen levels at home using a pulse oximeter, feeling safe and experiencing more control. This method does not increase GP visits or hospitalization but contributes to relieving caregivers and keeping healthcare affordable.
A large-scale study of patient experiences with telemedicine and in-person visits found that telemedicine consistently outperformed in-person visits in terms of access to care and provider engagement. The study analyzed survey responses from over 39,000 patients across more than 50,000 visits.
A new study found that children with COVID-19 and pre-existing high-risk conditions can be effectively treated at home, avoiding hospitalization. The Hospital-in-the-Home program recorded a 21% increase in patients and a 132% jump in telehealth appointments.
A survey study of 19,000 patients found that self-managed abortion was prevalent before accessing in-clinic care, particularly among those with limited access. The findings suggest a need for increased access to telemedicine and decentralized abortion care models.
A study found that two-thirds of staff and residents in long-term care facilities in England were infected with COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2022. The analysis, which included over 5,000 individuals, estimated that the true rate of infection was higher due to under-diagnosis during the pandemic.
A randomized clinical trial found that using smartphone apps for home monitoring after oncologic surgery leads to improved quality of recovery and equal patient satisfaction. The study compared this approach with conventional in-person follow-up, revealing no significant differences in these outcomes.
A Brown-led research team found that four dementia-care interventions saved between $2,800 and $13,000 in societal costs and reduced nursing home admissions while improving quality of life. Non-drug interventions have been shown to be effective in clinical trials and can help people with dementia stay safely at home longer.
A team of Lithuanian scientists created a VR-based rehabilitation system to help patients recover from stroke. The system uses sensors to track the patient's movements and provides real-time feedback to improve motor function, balance, and coordination.
A multi-site randomized controlled trial found Health TAPESTRY to have widespread reach and adoption, but no significant clinical benefits on hospitalizations and physical activity. The study tested implementation and reproducibility of the program across diverse primary care practices.
Research finds that comprehensive care services delivered by Canadian family physicians have decreased over 20 years, with no difference in decline between early-career and experienced physicians. This suggests that factors other than training or interest are driving the decrease.
A study of 19,000 female participants found mailing HPV self-sampling kits to be an efficient way to increase screening rates among eligible women. This cost-effective approach supports the use of mailed HPV kits as an outreach strategy for U.S. healthcare systems.
A study found that having opioids at home increases the risk of overdose for those living with them, emphasizing the importance of proper disposal and education. Household prescription opioids are associated with a higher likelihood of overdose for others in the household, even if they don't have their own prescription.
The Johns Hopkins ARISE program, developed in 2020, may increase the chances of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 getting discharged to their home rather than to a rehabilitation facility. The program's care model promotes early and individualized intensive rehabilitation to help patients regain functionality.
A Cochrane review found that eliminating hazards around the home, such as clutter and poor lighting, can reduce the risk of falls for older people by around a quarter. Decluttering and reducing hazards had the most benefit for those at high risk of falls.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a method to predict fall accidents and cognitive illnesses like Alzheimer's disease using radar sensors that track walking patterns. The technology can help healthcare staff make more reliable risk assessments and tailor interventions for improved patient outcomes.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that participating in home-based cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a 36% lower likelihood of death from heart-related complications among US military veterans within four years. The study analyzed data from 1,120 veterans who enrolled in a 12-week hom...
A recent study from Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago suggests that paid family caregiving can be a viable answer to the healthcare worker shortage. The study, which compared children with medical complexity cared for by family-CNA caregivers versus traditional non-family CNAs, found no significant difference in hospi...
A culturally appropriate model of end-of-life care is being developed in Ghana to address the scarcity of palliative care in low-resource communities. COMPASS Ghana aims to provide universal end-of-life care by the end of the decade, utilizing a compassionate community approach that involves patients and caregivers in care provision.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
Researchers developed an interactive training app called 'iTrain' to teach caregivers how to provide post-stroke care. The app uses real-life data and simulations to assess the user's knowledge and improve their skills in providing optimal care, leading to a significant positive effect on anxiety among carers and stroke victims.
A £5.4 million project, backed by Innovate UK, aims to develop a new value chain to convert industrial waste gases into sustainable materials for consumer products. The consortium, including Unilever and BASF, will seek to demonstrate how the UK can cut 15-20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
A new study finds that Mexican American stroke survivors are less likely to receive intensive rehabilitation services compared to non-Hispanic white peers. Nearly one-third of all stroke survivors in the study did not receive any rehabilitation within 90 days of their stroke.
The UVA Health, Southwest Virginia Coalition is partnering to improve COVID-19 outcomes and chronic health conditions through innovative telehealth models. The consortium will bring together healthcare groups to develop a long-term blueprint for providing care in rural communities.
The pandemic exacerbated workforce shortages, low wages, and increased consumer responsibility in self-directed care. Policies like the Appendix K guidelines showed potential to alleviate unmet care needs, but further flexibility is needed to support consumers and workers.
The Collaborative for Telehealth and Aging has published the first-ever guidelines for offering telehealth services to older patients. The principles provide general rules for behavior, while the guidelines offer specificity for each principle, aiming to achieve individual goals for programs and providers.
A recent study published in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy found that about one-third of caregivers self-medicate. Carriers who reported unfavorable healthcare experiences were more likely to take personal care into their own hands. The research team recommends that healthcare professionals should interact with caregive...
A study by UC Davis Health researchers found that telehealth visits saved patients around 53.7 million miles of travel, eliminated the need for 42.4 injuries and 0.7 fatalities, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 21,466 metric tons over two years.
A randomised controlled trial found that molnupiravir treatment did not decrease hospital admissions or deaths in vaccinated adults with higher risk of mortality from COVID-19 infection. However, patients treated at home with molnupiravir recovered faster compared to the control group.
A new study found that prioritizing part-time employees can significantly improve the consistency of care in long-term care facilities. By consistently assigning part-time workers and having flexible full-time workers, facilities can reduce the average number of different nursing assistants a resident interacts with by 20-30% each month.
A national survey of healthcare providers reveals that nearly 60% believe telehealth is 'dangerous' for older adults, while another 60% say it's an unrealistic option. However, 68% of clinicians report often or always working to prepare and account for older adults' physical and cognitive differences.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that a tailored activity program (TAP) significantly improved behavioral symptoms in Black families compared to white families. The program, which provides activities tailored to interests and abilities, also reduced caregiver distress.
Research from the University of Reading found that sinks and P-traps harbor a surprising number of fungal organisms, including black moulds and relatives of baker's yeast. The study showed that these microorganisms can tolerate high temperatures, low pH, and low nutrients, making them a potential risk to health in certain environments.
The DocMapper.ca platform provides an interactive map listing physicians' names, contact info, and language skills in the Ottawa and Renfrew County area. Available in English and French, it lists over 50 languages, addressing a significant language barrier for patients seeking family care.
Two new studies found that dialysis facilities owned by nephrologists may provide better care, with patients receiving home dialysis more often. Additionally, a shorter interval between dialysis and surgery was associated with improved post-surgery survival rates.