Relations among home- and community-based services investment and nursing home rates of use for working-age and older adults: a state-level analysis

Sources of perceived social support and cognitive function among older adults: a longitudinal study in rural China

Background

Studies have shown the positive impact of perceived social support on cognitive function among older adults in rural areas. However, existing studies often overlook the impact of different support sources. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the diverse sources of perceived social support and cognitive function.

Methods

Participants were drawn from the Guizhou Rural Older Adults' Health Study (HSRO) in China. We included 791 participants who participated in a baseline survey in 2019 and a 3-year follow-up survey. Perceived social support was investigated from the six main sources (friend, relative, children, spouse, sibling, and neighbor). Hierarchical linear regression models were used to observe the effects of diverse sources of perceived social support and their combinations on cognitive function.

Results

Cognitive function was positively associated with perceived support from children, friends, and neighbors. A positive association was found between cognitive function and increases in each additional source [β = 0.75 (95%CI: 0.51, 0.98), p < 0.001]. Older adults who perceived support from both children and friends showed better cognitive function [β = 2.53 (95%CI: 1.35, 3.72), p < 0.001]. The perception of support from spouse, siblings, and relatives did not show a statistically significant association with cognitive function among older adults in rural areas.

Conclusion

This study found that the association between different sources of perceived social support and cognitive function was varied. This study provides scientific evidence that personalized support strategies may benefit in promoting cognitive health in rural older adults.

Development and validation of the Unmet Needs Questionnaire for young stroke survivors

OBJECTIVE

Owing to the lack of a suitable tool for detecting the unmet needs of young stroke survivors, this study aims to develop a validated questionnaire for evaluating these unmet needs.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, observational research design.

SETTING

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou and Taoyuan branches in Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 211 participants (average age 53 years; within 6 months post-stroke) completed the questionnaire.

MAIN MEASURES

A qualitative approach was used to create an item pool. Experts verified item suitability, and content validity was evaluated using the item content validity index. Item analysis was applied to determine item quality, and factor analysis was used to explore construct validity. In addition, parallel analysis was employed to ascertain the optimal number of factors.

RESULTS

The scale development procedure resulted in a 27-item questionnaire that assesses the unmet needs of young stroke survivors after a stroke. The item content validity index was 1.0. The Unmet Needs Questionnaire has five factors: restoring prestroke abilities and life, rehabilitation-related resources, social support and self-adjustment, economic and post-stroke life adjustment, and stroke-related information. These five factors accounted for 54% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.91, while the alpha for the subscales ranged from 0.74 to 0.88.

CONCLUSIONS

The Unmet Needs Questionnaire showed acceptable reliability and validity. It can help clinical professionals and government agencies identify stroke survivors' unmet needs and develop tailored care plans. Future research should explore the trajectory of post-stroke unmet needs using this tool.

Evaluating the health outcomes of aging in place: the role of medicaid aging waiver program on U.S. older adults

The Medicaid Aging Waiver program (MAW) subsidizes the cost of long-term care (LTC) at home or in communities to satisfy older people's increasing desire to age in place. The MAW program might be health improving for older people by allowing them to age at home. However, less quality and quantity of home-based care comparing to nursing home care could offset some of the potential benefits. I use policy expenditure across states over time linked with detailed health information from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to identify the associated effects of MAWs on health outcomes of older adults who are at risk of needing LTC and who are resources constrained to be potentially eligible for Medicaid. Overall, the findings suggest that the MAW program is beneficial to health: a $1,000 increase in MAW spending for each older person results is associated with a 1.4 percent improvement in self-reported health status, a 1.5 percent reduction in functional mobility limitations, a 1.6 percent decrease in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) limitations, and a 1.7 percent improvement in negative psychological feelings. For older people who are most likely not eligible for MAWs, such as those who are wealthy or in good health and do not require LTC, these health-improving effects have not been observed.

Exploring the roles and functions of champions within community-based interventions to support older adults with chronic conditions: A scoping review protocol

BACKGROUND

Health care solutions are needed to meet the need of an ageing population. Health care champions are people who endorse the adoption of new initiatives being implemented within health care settings. Although the role of champions has been cited as key to the success of numerous community-based interventions implemented to improve the care of older adults with chronic conditions, no synthesis of their implementation experiences have been conducted. We report on a scoping review protocol that will be applied to collect evidence on the role of champions within community-based health interventions to support older adults with chronic conditions. Specifically, we will identify how the term 'champion' is used and defined (i.e., conceptualized) and identify the roles (i.e., professional background) and functions of champions (i.e., responsibilities). We will also explore how this role impacts program implementation.

METHODS

This is a scoping review protocol informed by guidelines for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and a six-stage scoping review methodology. Peer-review literature will be retrieved from Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane JBI and Scopus databases, using a peer-reviewed search strategy developed in collaboration with an Information Specialist. The scoping review will consider all empirical studies published in English. Two reviewers will pilot-test the screening criteria and data abstraction forms, and then independently screen the literature. Extracted data will be analyzed numerically and thematically. Self-identified champions will be consulted to refine the practice recommendations from this work.

DISCUSSION

This scoping review will broadly and systematically identify, define and expand existing knowledge on champions' impact in implementing community-based interventions to support older adults with chronic conditions. We anticipate that our results will lead to a greater understanding of the characteristics and role champions play within these interventions, which will be relevant to a wide range of knowledge users, including researchers, decision-makers, and health care providers.

Barriers to Aging in Place for Rural, Institutionalized Older Adults: A Qualitative Exploration

OBJECTIVES

Although the majority of older adults wish to "age in place" in their communities, rural contexts pose challenges to maintaining long-term independence. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the experiences of rural older adults who live in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and thus have not aged in place. By retrospectively analyzing their pre-institution care situation, we aim to generate foundational knowledge on the barriers to aging in place in rural settings.

METHODS

A series of individual and group interviews was conducted in SNFs across seven rural communities. A grounded, thematic analysis was used to interpret interview findings, and coding was informed by the socio-ecological model (SEM).

RESULTS

Participants were 32 adults with a mean age of 72 years (SD = 5.7 years) and an average SNF residence of 3.9 years. Two themes emerged as primary barriers to successful aging in place: (1) Caregiver-related support issues and (2) Present focus, or lack of advanced care-planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest the importance of specifically supporting caregivers, to ease burden and allow for increased agency for rural older adults. A lack of access to caregiver supports and other services limits the ability of community-dwelling rural older adults to age in place or plan for the future.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Existing networks of rural community resources and innovative solutions should be leveraged to improve access to services for older adults and their informal caregivers.

Perceived availability of home- and community-based services and self-reported depression among Chinese older adults: A cross-sectional study

Few studies have assessed the association between perceived availability of home- and community-based services (HCBSs) and self-reported depression among Chinese older adults, which the present study attempts to rectify. This cross-sectional study enrolled 11,941 participants aged 65 and older from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 2018 wave. The 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) was used to evaluate depression, and perceived availability was measured for four categories of HCBSs: daily life assistance, medical care services, emotional support and social services, and other. These four categories and the number of services in each were used to represent the perceived availability of service provision. Binary logistic models were used to explore the relationship between perceived availability of HCBSs and depression in older adults. Perceived daily life assistance was found to be negatively associated with depression symptoms among Chinese older adults in both urban and rural areas [rural: OR (95%CI) = 0.66 (0.55-0.78), p < 0.001; urban: OR (95% CI) = 0.69(0.60-0.79), p < 0.001], while perceived levels of medical care services, emotional support and social services, and other were not associated with depression symptoms in rural or urban areas. Our primary finding was that providing daily life assistance at the community level may help to meet more older adults' daily needs, thus potentially decreasing the risk of depression.

Longitudinal association between home and community-based services provision and cognitive function in Chinese older adults: Evidence from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

Few studies have assessed the impact of home and community-based services (HCBSs) provision on cognitive function among older adults over time. This study examined the longitudinal association between HCBSs provision and cognitive function in Chinese older adults. The study included 5,134 participants aged 65 years and older in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2008 to 2014. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate cognitive function over the same time period. Participants were asked what kind of HCBSs were provided in his or her community. However, they were not asked whether services were utilised. The study used the number of HCBSs provided each wave to represent the strength of HCBSs, and used the MMSE score of each wave to represent the older adults' cognitive function status. A latent growth model was used to explore the relationship between HCBSs provision and cognitive function of older adults. The number of HCBSs provided was positively associated with older adults' cognitive function (2008: β = 0.03, p = 0.031; 2011: β = 0.06, p < 0.001; 2014: β = 0.06, p < 0.001) after controlling for gender, age, residence, education, income, medical insurance, activities of daily living disability, instrumental activities of daily living disability, serious illness, living arrangement and marital status. Results provided longitudinal evidence that an increase in HCBSs provision at a national level can result in better cognitive function in Chinese older adults.

Long-Term Care Market Trend and Patterns of Caregiving in the U.S

Informal care is a major source of long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults in the U.S. However, the increasing gap between available family caregivers and those needing LTSS in coming years warrants better understanding of the balance between informal and formal home or community-based LTSS to meet the growing demand. The current study aimed to 1) identify patterns of informal and formal LTSS use among community-dwelling individuals, and 2) examine if the supply of formal LTSS predicts the use of informal care. These aims were investigated by linking the market supply of formal LTSS at the state-level to the Health and Retirement Survey data (N = 7,781). Results provide important empirical evidence that patterns of informal and formal LTSS use among older adults are heterogeneous and market supply of formal home and community-based services (HCBS) significantly predicts the use of informal care. Most older adults rely on informal care in combination with some formal supports, suggesting that the two systems work in tandem to meet the growing needs of LTSS. This offers important implications for states allocating resources to meet the LTSS needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities since states play key roles in U.S. long-term care policies.

Young people in aged care: trends in the use of aged care services by younger Australians, 2008-2016

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A population-based epidemiological study was conducted using publicly available datasets from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australian Bureau of Statistics. The incidence of service utilization by younger people (<65 year) and per 10,000 citizens 0-49, 50-54, 55-59, and 60-64 years old per year was estimated. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios.

RESULTS

Between 2008-2009 and 2015-2016 the number of younger people accessing services increased for home care services by 103.2% and transition care by 131.9% but decreased for permanent residential care by 0.4%, and respite care by 2.4%. Permanent residential care incidence use decreased for the overall population (incidence rate ratio = 0.98, p < 0.001) and in those 55-59 years old (incidence rate ratio = 0.97, p < 0.001) and for respite care incidence use decreased in those 0-49 years old (incidence rate ratio = 0.93, p = 0.001). The incidence use of home care increased in the overall group (incidence rate ratio = 1.04, p < 0.001) and in those 50-54 (1.08, p < 0.001) and in those 55-59 years old (incidence rate ratio = 1.03, p < 0.001). The use of transition care services increased significantly in all age groups (overall incidence rate ratio = 1.09, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall use of permanent residential care has decreased along with the use of respite in the youngest people, and the use of home and transition care services have increased. Efforts to keep young people out of residential aged care may have redirected them to home care services.Implications for rehabilitationThe number of young people (<65 years old) with disability using aged cares services in Australia has increased significantly between 2008-2009 and 2015-2016.The overall use of permanent residential care has decreased along with the use of respite care, and the use of home and transition care services have increased, which should be encouraged.Development of targeted rehabilitation support programs to support young people with disability housed in residential aged care may help to better cater their care needs.Development of transition pathways to shift young people with disability to appropriate support programs may help to reduce the number of younger people with disability in aged care services.

Measuring State Medicaid Home Care Participation and Intensity Using Latent Variables

Population aging and policies to redirect long-term care toward home- and community-based services have led to increases in Medicaid home care spending in most states. Changes in state Medicaid home care policy generosity may result from changes in the number of persons served (i.e., Participation) and/or changes in quantities of services covered (i.e., Intensity). This study measures state Medicaid home care Participation and Intensity comprehensively using latent variables, and uses those latent variables to describe changes in Medicaid home care policy generosity over time and across states. Yearly state-level data from the Medicaid Statistical Information System (1999-2012) are analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Between 1999 and 2012, 29 states expanded both Participation and Intensity, whereas six states reduced both. In the remaining states, a trade-off occurred. Distinguishing between Medicaid home care Participation and Intensity deserves attention, as expansions along these two dimensions represent potentially different implications for beneficiaries.

Barriers to Nursing Home Care for Nonelderly Rural Residents

Rural residents experience higher disability, mortality, and poverty rates than their urban counterparts; they also have more barriers to accessing care, including nursing home care. Meanwhile, the proportion of nonelderly adult nursing home residents (<65 years old) is growing, yet little is known about this population and barriers they face trying to access care, especially in rural areas. This qualitative study uses data from 23 semistructured interviews with rural hospital discharge planners in five states to identify specific barriers to finding nursing home care for nonelderly rural residents. We grouped those barriers into three primary themes-payment status, fit, and medical complexity-as well as two minor themes-caregivers and bureaucratic processes-and discuss each in the article, along with potential policy and programmatic interventions to improve access to nursing home care for nonelderly rural residents.

"We don't have the infrastructure to support them at home": How health system inadequacies impact on long-term care admissions of people with dementia

OBJECTIVES

The influence of healthcare system factors on long-term care admissions has received relatively little attention. We address this by examining how inadequacies in the healthcare system impact on long-term care admissions of people with dementia. This is done in the context of the Irish healthcare system.

METHODS

Thirty-eight qualitative in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals and family carers were conducted. Interviews focused on participants' perceptions of the main factors which influence admission to long-term care. Interviews were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

The findings suggest that long-term care admissions of people with dementia may be affected by inadequacies in the healthcare system in three ways. Firstly, participants regarded the economic crisis in Ireland to have exacerbated the under-resourcing of community care services. These services were also reported to be inequitable. Consequently, the effectiveness of community care was seen to be limited. Secondly, such limits in community care appear to increase acute hospital admissions. Finally, admission of people with dementia to acute hospitals was believed to accelerate the journey towards long-term care.

CONCLUSIONS

Inadequacies in the healthcare system are reported to have a substantial impact on the threshold for long-term care admissions. The findings indicate that we cannot fully understand the factors that predict long-term care admission of people with dementia without accounting for healthcare system factors on the continuation of homecare.

Predicting State Investment in Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services, 2000-2011

Although state use of Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) to provide long-term services and supports to older adults and individuals with physical disabilities continues to increase, progress is uneven across states. We used generalized linear models to examine state factors associated with increased allocation of Medicaid dollars to HCBS for the period 2000 to 2011. We observed enhanced growth in states that began the period with limited investment in HCBS, as reflected in significant year trends among these states. The political environment appeared to be an important influence on states' investment for states with limited initial allocation to HCBS, as was housing affordability, a policy amenable variable. There continues to be wide variation in states' relative investment, calling for additional policy attention and research.

Home and community-based service and other senior service use: Prevalence and characteristics in a national sample

We report on the use of home and community-based services (HCBS) and other senior services and factors affecting utilization of both among Americans over age 60 in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Those using HCBS were more likely to be older, single, Black, lower income, receiving Medicaid, and in worse health. Past use of less traditional senior services, such as exercise classes and help with tax preparation, were found to be associated with current use of HCBS. These findings suggest use of less traditional senior services may serve as a "gateway" to HCBS that can help keep older adults living in the community.

The effects of state-level expenditures for home- and community-based services on the risk of becoming a long-stay nursing home resident after hip fracture

SUMMARY

This study measures the effect of spending policies for long-term care services on the risk of becoming a long-stay nursing home resident after a hip fracture. Relative spending on community-based services may reduce the risk of long-term nursing home residence. Policies favoring alternative sources of care may provide opportunities for older adults to remain community-bound.

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to understand how long-term care policies affect outcomes by investigating the effect of state-level spending for home- and community-based services (HCBSs) on the likelihood of an individual's nursing home placement following hip fracture.

METHODS

This study uses data from the 5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 2005 to 2010 to identify incident hip fractures among dual-eligibility, community-dwelling adults aged at least 65 years. A multilevel generalized estimating equation (GEE) model estimated the association between an individual's risk of nursing home residence within 1 year and the percent of states' Medicaid long-term support service (LTSS) budget allocated to HCBS. Other covariates included expenditures for Title III services and individual demographic and health status characteristics.

RESULTS

States vary considerably in HCBS spending, ranging from 17.7 to 83.8% of the Medicaid LTSS budget in 2009. Hip fractures were observed from claims among 7778 beneficiaries; 34% were admitted to a nursing home and 25% died within 1 year. HCBS spending was associated with a decreased risk of nursing home residence by 0.17 percentage points (p 0.056).

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with other studies, our findings suggest that state policies favoring an emphasis on HCBS may reduce nursing home residence among low-income older adults with hip fracture who are at high risk for institutionalization.

Payment rates for personal care assistants and the use of long-term services and supports among those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between payment rates for personal care assistants and use of long-term services and supports (LTSS) following hospital discharge among dual eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

DATA SOURCES

State hospital discharge, Medicaid and Medicare claims, and assessment data on California Medicaid LTSS users from 2006 to 2008.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study. We used multinomial logistic regression to analyze county personal care assistant payment rates and postdischarge LTSS use, and estimate marginal probabilities of each outcome across the range of rates paid in California.

DATA EXTRACTION METHODS

We identified dual eligible Medicare and Medicaid adult beneficiaries discharged from an acute care hospital with no hospitalizations or LTSS use in the preceding 12 months.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Personal care assistant payment rates were modestly associated with home and community-based services (HCBS) use versus nursing facility entry following hospital discharge (RRR 1.2, 95 percent CI: 1.0-1.4). For a rate of $6.75 per hour, the probability of HCBS use was 5.6 percent (95 percent CI: 4.2-7.1); at $11.75 per hour, 18.0 percent (95 percent CI: 12.5-23.4). Payment rate was not associated with the probability of nursing facility entry.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher payment rates for personal care assistants may increase utilization of HCBS, but with limited substitution for nursing facility care.

Local Medicaid home- and community-based services spending and nursing home admissions of younger adults

We used fixed-effect models to examine the relationship between local spending on home- and community-based services (HCBSs) for cash-assisted Medicaid-only disabled (CAMOD) adults and younger adult admissions to nursing homes in the United States during 2001 through 2008, with control for facility and market characteristics and secular trends. We found that increased CAMOD Medicaid HCBS spending at the local level is associated with decreased admissions of younger adults to nursing homes. Our findings suggest that states' efforts to expand HCBS for this population should continue.

Living longer at home: a qualitative study of older clients' and practical nurses' perceptions of home care

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To identify descriptions of older (75+) home care clients and practical nurses regarding the current structure of home care available for older clients and the elements promoting the ability of clients to continue living at home.

BACKGROUND

The ageing population is a major global challenge in social and health care. In many countries, the focus of care for older clients has shifted from institutional care towards a model of home care. Increasing attention has been paid to maximising the resources of older clients and aiming to support their living at home for as long as possible.

DESIGN

A descriptive qualitative study

METHODS

Data were collected from individual interviews by using videotaped home care visits as a tool for stimulated recall interviews. Two groups of participants were interviewed: 14 practical nurses and 23 older clients. Data were analysed by using the inductive content analysis.

RESULTS

Both participant groups, practical nurses and older home care clients, described home care as organisationally driven, but highlighted the importance of individual encounters. In addition, both groups noted that clients' living at home can be supported by offering individually designed care. Individually designed care refers to showing respect to clients' opinions and promoting their individual resources.

CONCLUSION

In order to be able to promote older home clients' living at home, the provided home care needs to be individually designed and must take into account clients' resources and their perspectives of meaningful and inspirational activities.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The information produced by this study can be used to promote older clients' living at home for as long as possible. Therefore, practical nurses are required the ability to recognise older clients' individual resources and design individual care plans accordingly.

Exploring Best Practices in Home Health Care

This article summarizes publicly available research related to outcomes and best practices in skilled home health and other kinds of home-based care. As the population ages and the home health care sector grows, the home health community must address current deficiencies in care and expand the use of evidence-based strategies to improve the quality and efficiency of care. Many promising innovations in service delivery currently exist, a wide variety of which have been tested and evaluated in postacute and long-term care settings. Our review found that home health agencies are well positioned to improve patient outcomes through a variety of approaches, including care coordination, telehealth, and data-driven quality of care monitoring. For the most part, evaluations of these interventions show that they can improve patient outcomes and/or cost-effectiveness.

A profile of middle-aged and older adults admitted to nursing homes: 2000-2008

Middle-aged adults are becoming an increasing share of the nursing home population. Minimum Data Set assessment data for 2000 and 2008 are used to explore similarities and differences in sociodemographic, residential, medical, and psychiatric characteristics of newly admitted middle-aged adults (31-64) compared to their older counterparts (65+). Relative to their share of the state population, Black middle-aged adults are overrepresented in nursing homes across 45 states and the District of Columbia. Chronic conditions, including diabetes, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and circulatory/heart disorders, appeared to contribute to the increasing presence of middle-aged adults. There were substantial increases in diagnoses of psychiatric disorders at admission; psychiatric diagnoses were significantly higher among middle-aged adults. Middle-aged adults were also more likely to have residential histories of prior stays in psychiatric facilities relative to older adults. States' rebalancing efforts need to attend to the increasing presence of disability associated with chronic medical and psychiatric conditions among middle-aged adults.