Articles tagged with Home Care
A recent study found that nursing home care costs are high and rising faster than other medical care and consumer prices. The study revealed significant price variation across states, with Texas having the least expensive out-of-pocket cost ($131 daily) and New York State having the most expensive ($334 daily).
A University of Waterloo study found that home-care patients in Alberta and British Columbia are more likely to be sent to hospital, while long-term care residents in these provinces were half as likely as those in Ontario. The researchers attributed regional differences to healthcare policies and infrastructure.
Verbal abuse is a significant occupational hazard for home care health workers, with one in four experiencing at least one incident in the preceding year. Cramped living conditions and dementia are major risk factors, while predictable working hours reduce the risk.
A new Dartmouth-led study reveals how ACOs are using home visits to improve care management and identify patient needs while reducing hospital use. The majority of ACOs reported using home visits within 72 hours of post-discharge, often conducted by a care management team member.
A new study by the University of Chichester explores the impact of behavioural changes in dementia on care home relationships. The findings highlight the need for better training and support to help professional caregivers understand and address these changes.
The number of people dying with serious health-related suffering is set to increase globally, with a 87% rise expected by 2060. Palliative care need will be most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, with the fastest growth among older adults.
The Humanwide program at Stanford Medicine combines cutting-edge tools and a collaborative team-based method to provide proactive, personalized care. The pilot program successfully identified previously overlooked health conditions and future health risks in patients, setting them on a path to avoid serious medical problems.
Research by George Mason University found that nurse care coordinators and individual care plans are crucial for improving healthcare quality and delivery in PCMH programs. Providers also emphasized the importance of trust and communication between providers and payers.
Researchers found that robopets increase social interaction among residents, family members, and staff, promoting conversation and stimulating memories. The robotic animals also offer comfort and joy to those who interact with them.
A study by Clara Berridge found that surveillance cameras in nursing homes can record personal moments, compromising resident privacy and dignity. The survey also highlighted issues with consent and the security of camera feeds, highlighting the need for reform and increased funding for long-term care systems.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to receive inadequate end-of-life care. They were also less likely to receive specialist palliative care, which can improve symptoms and wellbeing.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that skipping breakfast significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular death. Eating breakfast regularly is associated with lower mortality rates from heart disease and stroke.
A study of 43,000 people who died in England found that only 10% of non-cancer patients received palliative care at home, compared to 66% of cancer patients. Patients who accessed palliative care at home experienced better pain relief, with 66% experiencing good pain relief, similar to those receiving care in a hospice.
The UK is failing to provide universal health coverage to undocumented child migrants by charging them for healthcare, contravening the UN Convention on Rights of the Child and Sustainable Development Goals. The policy has led to poor health outcomes, underuse of services, and obstacles in identifying children at risk.
Standard care home hydration tests do not accurately identify dehydration in older people, according to new research from the University of East Anglia. The study compared results from simple tests against a gold standard blood test and found none were accurate.
A 3-year research project in Germany and the Netherlands reveals that migrant care workers are increasingly employed by families to provide round-the-clock care. Despite low wages and long work hours, many family members value their chemistry with immigrant caregivers.
A NYU study has identified medication management challenges faced by home health care providers, including communication breakdowns and fragmented systems of care. The researchers found that medication errors, such as taking the wrong drug or dose, were common among high-risk patients living alone.
A survey of Colorado home health care clinicians found that 60% lacked adequate information from hospitals to guide patient treatment. The study highlights major gaps in communication between hospital and home health staff, which can result in medication errors and other serious consequences.
High-need, high-cost patients account for 50% of US healthcare spending. Patients identify care management, telemedicine, and home health visits as beneficial solutions to prevent ED overuse. Care management helps with appointment scheduling and reminders, while home-based services enhance patient convenience and comfort.
Amie Blaszczyk, a TTUHSC faculty member, has been awarded the Armon Neel Senior Care Pharmacist award by ASCP. She is recognized for her expertise in geriatric pharmacotherapy and commitment to improving senior care.
A recent study found that despite a rise in telehealth participation, vulnerable populations continue to have limited access. Lack of accessible providers remains a major barrier for Medicaid beneficiaries, those with lower incomes, and rural communities. State policies alone may not be enough to increase adoption.
A recent editorial suggests that home blood pressure monitoring is more accurate than traditional office assessments, due to the phenomenon of white coat syndrome. This can lead to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment for patients with high blood pressure.
A study found that a training programme for caregivers in care homes improves the lives of residents with dementia, reducing agitation and hospital admissions. The programme, known as WHELD, cost £660 per resident to achieve significant improvements, saving up to £4,000 per home.
Research found that static activities, such as strength training, were more strongly associated with reducing heart disease risks than dynamic activities like walking and cycling. Both types of physical activity appeared to be heart healthy, even in small amounts, at the population level.
A new study reveals a massive shortage of home-based medical care for frail seniors, particularly in rural areas. The researchers found that only 2-4% of rural Medicare recipients received home-based medical care, highlighting the need for increased access to telemedicine and improved payments for in-home care providers.
Research suggests that over 10 million US children live more than 60 miles from the nearest pediatric surgeon, with significant implications for treatment delays and added costs. The study aims to provide a framework for regionalization efforts based on patient location using publicly available data.
A new study found that Chinese adults' end-of-life care preferences vary based on whether they have children. Adults who lost their only child prefer specialized hospice or palliative care institutions, while those with children prefer family-based care at home.
A new study has found that frequent home hemodialysis is associated with a lower mortality risk compared to traditional hemodialysis. The study analyzed data from over 1,700 patients and found that HHD patients were 23% less likely to die during follow-up than IHD patients.
A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that home care with physical therapy significantly improves recovery rates for knee replacement surgery patients. The study analyzed Medicare claims data and found that patients receiving six to nine home-care visits by a physical therapist had better outcomes.
A new study found that providing nursing homes with increased Medicare payments can reduce avoidable hospitalizations by up to 33%. The OPTIMISTIC program aims to keep frail older adults in their familiar surroundings, staffed by providers who know them, and provide comprehensive care on-site.
The study found that CPC+ practices primarily served wealthier areas, with lower median incomes and higher uninsured rates. In contrast, Medicare fee-for-service enrollees in areas without a CPC+ practice had significantly higher use of inpatient discharges.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that where people live before hospitalization affects their risk of readmission. Discharged to home care were most likely to be readmitted, while those discharged to long-term care were least likely.
A study found that patients with higher continuity with their prescribing physician received fewer risky opioid prescriptions and were less likely to be hospitalized for opioid-related causes. However, long-term opioid use was associated with lower continuity scores than other medications, highlighting the need for improved prescribing...
Kessler Foundation will analyze the impact of its spatial neglect assessment and treatment protocols on stroke survivor recovery and independence. The two-year grant aims to confirm functional benefits and improve clinical benchmarks for stroke rehabilitation.
A recent study from Regenstrief Institute found that a patient's diagnosis is not the primary factor in determining whether a nursing home resident needs to be hospitalized. Instead, coordinated care systems and quality improvement opportunities are crucial in preventing unnecessary hospitalizations. The study highlighted gaps in commu...
A new study published in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B, found that men respond to their spouse's illness just as much as women do and are better caregivers in later life. The research reveals similar levels of care given by male and female caregivers when a spouse is severely ill.
A program keeping elderly aged care residents out of hospital emergency departments has been successful in reducing demand on emergency services. The 'Hospital in the Nursing Home' program saw a 47% decrease in hospital admissions among aged care patients, with an estimated economic benefit of AU$8 million per year.
A three-week intensive outpatient treatment program reduced PTSD symptoms by more than half in military veterans, with over 90% sticking to the program. The program combined evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy with wellness interventions, showing that concentrating therapy over consecutive days can be an effectiv...
A new e-learning programme trained care home staff to increase social interaction from two minutes a day to ten, improving resident wellbeing and staff attitudes. The programme, called WHELD, uses simple measures such as talking to residents about their interests and involving them in decisions around their care.
In Southern Mozambique, half of those diagnosed with HIV do not enroll in medical care. The study highlights the need to develop interventions to facilitate access to care and treatment among this population. Only 44% attend a medical visit three months after diagnosis, while 25% initiate antiretroviral treatment.
Resident physicians' home visits improve assessment of patient needs and effectiveness of discharge plans, highlighting the importance of community services and individualized care. The study aimed to teach residents how to develop comprehensive discharge plans with community agencies and resources.
A new study found that a bundled-payment system did not lower Medicare costs for patients hospitalized for serious medical conditions. Despite providing financial incentives, hospitals saw no significant reductions in costs, with average costs remaining largely unchanged.
A pilot study found that a mindfulness-based program, MODEL Care, improved patients' and family caregivers' ability to cope with the emotional challenges of advanced cancer. The program enhanced their ability to have open discussions about end-of-life plans, ultimately decreasing barriers to advance care planning.
The study found a 16.1% decline in ICD placements not meeting Medicare coverage criteria at hospitals that settled with the DOJ, while non-Medicare patients also showed declines. Hospital-level variation remained, with top performers having less than 3.8% of ICDs not meeting criteria
Two new studies highlight the critical need for evaluating and updating standards for infection preventionist (IP) staffing levels, citing severe gaps in staffing and outdated coverage benchmarks. The studies found that actual IP labor needs are 31-66% higher than current benchmarks, indicating a greater need for IP oversight.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that hospital at home (HaH) care reduces length of stay, hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and transfers to skilled nursing facilities. HaH also improves patient experience and satisfaction rates compared to traditional inpatient care.
Researchers found that proxies who viewed a 12-minute advanced care planning video were more likely to have residents with advance directives indicating tube-feeding should be withheld. When proxies preferred comfort care, advance directives aligned with that preference.
A quarter of intensive care patients are readmitted to hospital shortly after returning home, research suggests. Poor carer stress, difficulty understanding health and social care packages, and psychological trauma contribute to high rates of return, the findings show. The study highlights the need for services to take into account com...
The MIECHV program has established six benchmarks for organizations to demonstrate improvement, but research suggests only three constructs - preterm birth, breastfeeding, and well-child visits - are supported by evidence-based research. The review identifies 16 other non-mandated constructs that have evidence of home visiting improvin...
A new study found per-capita end-of-life care costs have been declining since 2008, with significant contributions from reduced inpatient and physician expenditures. The decline contributed to moderation in growth of overall per-capita Medicare spending.
Researchers found that patients and caregivers prioritize caring attitudes, accountability, and continuity of care during hospital discharge processes. These outcomes lead to excellent and trustworthy care, but poor care can result in mistrust, anxiety, and confusion.
Patients and caregivers prioritize clear accountability, continuity, and caring attitudes in care transitions. Effective services include actionable information, collaborative discharge planning, empathic communication, and uninterrupted care.
Researchers found that nursing home residents with advanced dementia who undergo surgical repair for hip fractures have a lower mortality rate compared to those managed with palliative care. These patients also experience less pain and fewer pressure ulcers.
A recent study published in CMAJ found that patients who received home care visits from nurses were more likely to visit the emergency department during the evening on the same day. The likelihood of this occurrence was greater among people with non-urgent issues and those who had not been admitted to hospital.
A new USC study reveals that Yelp reviews of nursing homes tend to focus more on staff attitudes and responsiveness than government reviews. The study evaluated 264 Yelp reviews and grouped them into five categories, finding that nearly 53% of reviewers posted comments about staff attitude and caring.
A Zika vaccine has shown significant potential in eliminating prenatal infections, with a 75% effective vaccine covering 90% of females aged 9-49 years reducing incidence by at least 94%. The vaccine's effectiveness depends on demographic and fertility patterns, local Zika attack rates, and population susceptibility.
Drs. William Applegate and Thomas Edes receive the prestigious Nascher/Manning Award for their groundbreaking contributions to geriatrics expertise. Both pioneers have made significant impacts on improving patient care, increasing access to home-based primary care, and advancing palliative care.
A new study found that many care home admissions are based on coercive practices, disregarding fundamental human rights. The research highlights the need for stronger regulation and safeguards to protect older people from abuse.
A recent study found that neglectful behaviors are widespread among English care home staff, despite efforts to provide person-centered care. The survey of 1,544 staff revealed that many witnessed residents being left waiting for care or having insufficient time for food.
Researchers identified five essential themes for consistent and supported care transitions, including preparing individuals with dementia and their caregivers, evaluating preferences and goals, and creating inter-professional collaborative team environments. The findings suggest that person-centered care is crucial for achieving outcom...