The effect of a “surveillance nurse” telephone support intervention in a home care program

No Place Like Home: A Systematic Review of Home Care for Older Adults in Canada

“…The results of this synthesis identified various nurse-led interventions to support older adult home care clients ranging from telephone-support interventions to mental-health interventions. A study on a “surveillance nurse” telephone support intervention for home care clients in British Columbia was found to have a beneficial effect on reducing the rate of service utilization by increasing the duration of the home care visit (Kelly & Godin, 2015). This intervention involved scheduled telephone calls from a surveillance nurse to regularly assess the client’s well-being, care plan status, use and need for services (e.g., adult day programs, physiotherapy, home support), and home environment (e.g., family caregiver support).…”

“…This intervention involved scheduled telephone calls from a surveillance nurse to regularly assess the client’s well-being, care plan status, use and need for services (e.g., adult day programs, physiotherapy, home support), and home environment (e.g., family caregiver support). The nurse provides the client with information, education, and coaching, and if necessary collaborates with other health care and support professionals (e.g., occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians, home care nurses, general or nurse practitioners), and community resources (e.g., Alzheimer’s Society, meals on wheels) (Kelly & Godin, 2015).…”

“…Participants who had their home care needs met reported higher levels of life satisfaction, and lower levels of loneliness and life stress than those with unmet needs. Kelly and Godin, 2015 Fraser Health home care program -British Columbia Community-dwelling older adults (intervention: n = 930 and control: n = 930) in a home care program…”