title: The efficacy of a senior outreach program in the reduction of hospital readmissions and emergency department visits among chronically ill seniors.
abstract: This study reports on the effectiveness of a community-based senior outreach program in decreasing rehospitalizations and emergency department visits among chronically ill seniors. Participants had been repeatedly hospitalized with chronic illnesses and were subsequently served in an in-home program designed to address their psychosocial and medical needs. Participation in the program was found to be related to lower hospital readmission rates and emergency department usage. Clients also reported decreased financial concerns and depression and anxiety and increased social support. The study adds to the growing body of work supporting community-based programs as effective strategies for decreasing health care usage and improving quality of life for chronically ill seniors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, USA. michael.prior@utoledo.edu
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: Beverly A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bahret
authors.forename: Reva I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Sudershan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasupuleti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003153:Community Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration