After one year, the patients' overall medical and emotional conditions were checked again. In addition, after six months, the patients getting the coordinated team care had an 8 percent average reduction in hospital admissions. For people with severe disabilities the reduction in hospital visits was up to 22 percent, the study says. However, the researchers say they were discouraged to find that hospital admissions at the 12-month mark remained the same among the two groups. The point is that there were sites that were able to get good outcomes and keep costs low, so we just need to take a closer look to see why some went higher.
Many experts say home care is the wave of the future.
Computers and digital phone lines now make it possible for many medical procedures, including cardiograms and even X-rays, to be performed at home with no reduction in quality of care. If someone you know could benefit from better home care, experts say talk to the person's doctor about what can be done to establish a more coordinated approach. While an official program may not be available in your area, many doctors will speak to others involved in patient care and create a system of communication that can help. To learn more about home care and other facets of caring for the elderly, check SeniorClix . Or, you may want to read previous HealthScout articles on aging and home care .