Improving health care delivery to aging adults with disabilities: social work with dual eligibles in a climate of health care reform.
Adults aging with disabilities comprise a diverse group. In this article, we identify the prevalence and characteristics of this target population, focusing on adults who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. We articulate challenges in the delivery of health, social, and support services to adults aging with disabilities, particularly how existing health care policy and financing contributes to fragmentation of care. Finally, we identify opportunities for social workers to advocate for and promote system improvements in the delivery of care for aging adults with disabilities in the current climate of health care reform.
School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Sara S
SS
Bachman
Judith G
JG
Gonyea
D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid; D006278:Medicare; D015995:Prevalence; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration; D012947:Social Work; D014481:United States