House calls: is there an APN in the house?
OBJECTIVE
To report how a group of geriatric advanced practice nurses (APNs) participated in a house calls program that increased access to care for homebound and frail community-dwelling elders.


METHODS
Selected literature and author experiences, illustrated with clinical examples.


CONCLUSIONS
Many frail older adults are unable to access healthcare due to functional impairments related to multiple, chronic medical conditions. Many of these adults inappropriately utilize the emergency department for episodic care.


CONCLUSIONS
The model of care maximizes utilization of APNs to provide cost effective, culturally sensitive, quality care. The goal of geriatric assessment and primary care in this practice is to add quality to later years of life, promoting dignity and comfort to older adults and their families.
Restrepo
A
A
Arest265@aol.com
Davitt
C
C
Thompson
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006792:House Calls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D009515:New Jersey