TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving Transitions in Care for Patients and Family Caregivers Living in Rural and Underserved Areas
T2 - The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act
AU - Griffin, Joan M.
AU - Kaufman, Brystana G.
AU - Bangerter, Lauren
AU - Holland, Diane E.
AU - Vanderboom, Catherine E.
AU - Ingram, Cory
AU - Wild, Ellen M.
AU - Dose, Ann Marie
AU - Stiles, Carole
AU - Thompson, Virginia H.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - In this Perspective, we contend bold action is needed to improve transitions from hospitals to home for aging patients and their family caregivers living in rural and underserved areas. The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, passed in over 40 US states, is intended to provide family caregivers of hospitalized patients with the knowledge and skills needed for safe and efficient transitions. It has broken important ground for family caregivers who assist with transitions in patient care. It may fall short, however, in addressing the unique needs of family caregivers living in rural and underserved areas. We contend that to realize the intended safety, cost, and care quality benefits of the CARE Act, especially for those living in rural and underserved areas, states need to expand the Act’s scope. We provide three recommendations: 1) modify hospital information systems to support the care provided by family caregivers; 2) require assessments of family caregivers that reflect the challenges of family caregiving in rural and underserved areas; and 3) identify local resources to improve discharge planning. We describe the rationale for each recommendation and the potential ways that an expanded CARE Act could reduce the risks associated with transitions in care for aging patients.
AB - In this Perspective, we contend bold action is needed to improve transitions from hospitals to home for aging patients and their family caregivers living in rural and underserved areas. The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, passed in over 40 US states, is intended to provide family caregivers of hospitalized patients with the knowledge and skills needed for safe and efficient transitions. It has broken important ground for family caregivers who assist with transitions in patient care. It may fall short, however, in addressing the unique needs of family caregivers living in rural and underserved areas. We contend that to realize the intended safety, cost, and care quality benefits of the CARE Act, especially for those living in rural and underserved areas, states need to expand the Act’s scope. We provide three recommendations: 1) modify hospital information systems to support the care provided by family caregivers; 2) require assessments of family caregivers that reflect the challenges of family caregiving in rural and underserved areas; and 3) identify local resources to improve discharge planning. We describe the rationale for each recommendation and the potential ways that an expanded CARE Act could reduce the risks associated with transitions in care for aging patients.
KW - Family caregivers
KW - care transitions
KW - health services research
KW - hospitals
KW - policy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85125235636&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85125235636&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/08959420.2022.2029272
DO - 10.1080/08959420.2022.2029272
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85125235636
SN - 0895-9420
JO - Journal of Aging and Social Policy
JF - Journal of Aging and Social Policy
ER -