2021 Summer GAPNA Newsletter Volume 40 Number 2

Insufficient Support by Care Partners Increases Risk of Hospitalization for Assisted Living Residents

Inadequate or unavailable support by care partners may increase the risk of hospitalization for residents receiving home health services while living in an assisted living facility by as much as 41%, according to new research.

While Medicare home health services provide skilled nursing and social work services to reduce hospitalizations, they are only available two to three times per week.

Care during coverage gaps is left to family members, assisted living facility staff, or privately hired aides.

Among more than 740,000 Medicare home health service admissions for assisted living residents in 2017, nearly 61% of cases involved inadequate or no care partner support for treatment and nearly 44% involved inadequate or no support for daily living activities.

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