title: Physicians play important role in families' long-term care decisions. Choice of home care vs. nursing home.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Dockter
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Sanderson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holladay
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: 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