Physicians play important role in families' long-term care decisions. Choice of home care vs. nursing home.
Physicians are often involved in decisions about long-term care for the elderly and adults with disabilities. In Arkansas, some home and community-based services (HCBS) have been established for these Medicaid-eligible populations, as a nursing home alternative, but some are under-utilized. Unnecessary use of nursing home care burdens the state Medicaid budget. A recent study on service utilization suggests that physicians' lack of knowledge about HCBS may be a factor in their under-utilization. A number of programs that enable individuals to remain in their homes in Arkansas, including ElderChoices, Alternatives, the Developmental Disabilities Waiver and the Assisted Living Waiver are described.
Felix
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H
Dockter
N E
NE
Sanderson
H A
HA
Holladay
S
S
Stewart
M K
MK
D000328:Adult; D001131:Arkansas; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003657:Decision Making; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008484:Medicaid; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010819:Physician's Role; D011368:Professional-Family Relations