title: Program and policy issues affecting home and community-based long-term care use: findings from a qualitative study.
abstract: This paper describes a qualitative study of factors affecting decisions about use of Medicaid-funded long-term care (LTC) services in Arkansas for the elderly (aged 65+), non-elderly adults with physical disabilities (aged 21-64), and adults with developmental disabilities (aged 18+). From focus groups with LTC service providers and key informant interviews with consumers and other decision-makers, three themes for improving LTC services emerged: (1) Leveling the playing field for home and community-based services (HCBS) and institutional services; (2) information dissemination and counseling; and (3) expanding services to meet unmet needs. Policy recommendations are made to improve access to HCBS.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Mail Slot 820, 4301 W Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA. StewartMaryK@uams.edu
authors.forename: M Kate
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dockter
authors.forename: Dana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: Jinger R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001131:Arkansas; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011050:Policy Making; D036301:Qualitative Research