Transforming Data Into Practical Information: Using Consumer Input to Improve Home-Care Services

Abstract

Purpose: As funds have increased for the provision of in-home care, so too have concerns about the quality of services. In response, care management agencies and home-care providers have developed an array of monitoring activities designed to ensure the quality of services. In this article, we show how an area agency on aging both collected and used data to improve the quality of a network of in-home services. Design and Methods: Data came from more than 4,200 consumers enrolled in a community-based long-term-care program operated by the agency. In addition, other indicators of quality, such as elapsed time to service, were also collected. The area agency combined these data into part of a provider quality report it produced. Results: The provider quality report showed considerable variation across the more than 80 providers delivering services. The report also included examples of how data could be used to improve the quality of in-home services. Implications: Many home-care agencies now collect data from and about consumers participating in their programs. Often, however, these organizations do not have a good plan for actually using the data. This study demonstrates how to use consumer information to improve the quality of services delivered.

Chapter 9<BR> Bridging the Academic/Practice Gap in Gerontology and Geriatrics<BR> Mapping a Route to Mutual Success

“…As an example we provide a brief description of a collaborative effort between our university and the local area agency on aging (Applebaum, Kunkel, & Wilson, 2007;Murdoch, Kunkel, Applebaum, 63: Straker, 2004). This project developed out of an ongoing relationship between the two entities that has developed over the past decade.…”

Families that integrate self-care dependent individuals

“…6 The evaluation of the care centred around the dependent person and the family as well as the consequent increase of home care should be implicit, as well as the monitoring of the needs of those who are the consumers of this care, in order to ensure the effectiveness of care and to promote its quality. 7 The nursing intervention focuses on the preparation of family caregivers in order to increase their competence in their role as providers, but not affecting their elementary intervention in promoting autonomy in self-care for the dependent person. [8][9][10] As far as nursing is concerned, the knowledge of the families that integrate a dependent family member, as well as the families that have an institutionalised family member, represents an important focus of attention.…”