Purpose: Based on the medical offset effect, the goal of the study was to examine the extent to which users and nonusers of adult day care centers (ADCC) differ in frequency of use of out-patient health services (visits to specialists) and in-patient health services (number of hospital admissions, length of hospitalizations, and visits to…

Purpose: To report the impact on patient and informal caregiver satisfaction, patient empowerment, and health and disability status of a primary care-affiliated disease self-management-health promotion nurse intervention for Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities and recent significant health services use. Design and Methods: The Medicare…

Purpose: In this prospective study, we examine the reasons for benzodiazepine use among Russian-speaking elderly people in Israel, and we discuss issues related to immigrants. We provide information that can be applied to the improvement of age-related health and social services. Design and Methods: During a 6-month period, we interviewed…

Evaluated 24 hospital-based case management services. Found that case management could take variety of forms, ranging from postacute medical management service to planning community-based care for potential long-term care users. Future research should concentrate on documenting costs and outcomes of various models of case management in acute care…

Purpose: This study analyzed the effect of consumer-directed versus agency-directed home care on satisfaction with paid personal assistance services among Medicaid beneficiaries in Washington State. Design and Methods: The study analyzed a survey of 513 Medicaid beneficiaries receiving home- and community-based services. As part of a larger study,…

Examined cognitive impairment as predictor of community services used by older adults. For 97 health care clients, effects of 4 predictors differed depending on clients' cognitive impairment: living arrangement, presence of secondary caregivers, client depression, and task burden of primary caregiver. Found no differences in predictors of social…

Discusses the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of older persons because the elderly are likely to have a combination of social, psychological, and medical problems when they become ill. Discusses the role of the psychiatrist in light of his/her training, practice, and outlook. (Author/ABL)

Reviews four recent studies which found that general knowledge and acceptance of the formal service system were better predictors of service use by community-based elderly than were demographic and functional capacity variables usually studied. Suggests new research approaches to understanding why many older persons are reluctant to use existing…

The experience of the British and Irish coordination of social and health care suggests a categorical rather than comprehensive approach. Personnel training, resource development and planning should be undertaken on a slow, step-by-step schedule. (JAC)

"Sozialstationen" can fulfill an important function in social and health care by allowing older adults to live at home longer. About two-thirds of the clients would have to have more to residential care if the program was stopped. No conclusions on cost effectiveness can be drawn at this time. (JAC)

Studies the experiences of gay and lesbian seniors and their families in accessing a broad range of health and social services in the community. Results reveal that specific reference was made to the impact of discrimination on the health and access to health services of these populations. Recommendations for change are highlighted. (Contains 71…

Examined type of service, volume, and mix of services provided to 270 poor and frail elders. Predictors of use and volume of service differed depending on type of service. The most prescribed service combinations included nursing, home health, and homemaker; homemaker only; nursing and home health; nursing and homemaker; and nurse only. (RJM)

Purpose: Making good consumer decisions requires having good information. This study compared long-term-care recommendations among various types of health professionals. Design and Methods: We gave randomly varied scenarios to a convenience national sample of 211 professionals from varying disciplines and work locations. For each scenario, we…

Surveyed perceptions of the causes, severity, and treatment of elderly substance abuse as reported by 30 drug-abuse, health care, and social service practitioners. Perceptions differed as a function of both the basic type of services an agency provided and its specific response to older abusers. (Author)

Discusses the feasibility of delivering combined health and social services to an elderly population. The social/health maintenance organization (S/HMO), incorporating features of health maintenance organizations with community social services, will be financed on a prepaid, capitated basis through premium contributions from Medicare, Medicaid,…