The unmet needs of the elderly with diabetes in home health care.
The implementation of the Prospective Payment System (PPS) in Medicare home health care has raised concern about health outcomes of elderly patients since its intention is to curb spending. This study examines the unmet needs of older diabetic patients while receiving home health care and post-discharge from home health care (N = 129) in order to explore any effects of PPS on patients' need. The study found that a higher proportion of elders had unmet needs 30 days post-discharge compared with while receiving home health care. The specific unmet needs identified by the elderly diabetic patients included social work services, home health aide, homemaker services, and need for medical equipment. The study explores the role of social work to better manage the unmet needs of diabetic elders who live in the community.
Lee
Ji Seon
JS
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services, 113 West 60th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA. Jilee@fordham.edu
D000368:Aged; D003363:Cost Control; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011445:Prospective Payment System; D012648:Self Care; D012947:Social Work; D014481:United States