Patients, Caregivers Blame Themselves and Each Other for Home-Based Care Lapses

May 23, 2023 by TWN Staff
Patients, Caregivers Blame Themselves and Each Other for Home-Based Care Lapses
(Photo via Pixabay)

NEW YORK — “Broken” home-based health care experiences are causing avoidable hospital readmissions, exacting worrisome financial and psychological tolls on patients and caregivers alike, a new survey by Tomorrow Health has found.

According to the American Hospital Association, 35 million Americans were hospitalized in 2022, with at least to two-thirds discharged to home care.

The release said 20% of discharged patients get readmitted to the hospital, and many cite medical supply complications or delays as a contributing factor. 

It went on to say, “more than a third of home-discharged patients transition to higher-cost settings over the course of the following year. These avoidable readmissions take a financial and mental toll on patients.”

While “health insurers have built care teams to manage home-based patients coordinating in-home support, nutrition services, transportation to appointments and the delivery of lifesaving medical equipment,” the survey found “patients and caregivers are overwhelmed and stressed. Both groups equally (31%) blame each other when there is a delay in receiving lifesaving medical equipment.”

The survey also found that many patients are left in the dark, unaware of any coordinated assistance services made available by their health insurers.

A large majority (77%) of the patients also reported that they are the primary contact for their medical suppliers. The survey disclosed that 59% of patients received unreliable or poor-quality medical supplies and equipment.

The release went on to say 60% of caregivers had experienced delays or disruptions that kept their patients from receiving medical equipment or supplies. Fifty-eight percent of caregivers surveyed said receiving unreliable or poor-quality medical supplies has negatively impacted either their lives or the lives of their patients.

“Although initiatives like the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Biden administration’s recent executive order provide some hope, challenges remain. Addressing care transitions, care coordination, social isolation, physical and emotional strain, and financial distress will require innovative regulation, technology and services,” the release stated.

“The time is now for leaders across the health care ecosystem to recognize the vital role that caregivers play and to invest in enabling and supporting them,” said Vijay Kedar, co-founder and CEO of Tomorrow Health, in a written statement. “From clinical teams actively engaging caregivers as members of the care team to health plans providing solutions to augment caregiver efforts to manage and coordinate home-based care, increased awareness and investment will reduce caregiver burnout and improve patient outcomes.”

You can reach us at [email protected] and follow us on Facebook and Twitter

A+
a-
  • health
  • health care
  • home-based care
  • opinion poll
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Health

    Biden Announcing New Rule to Protect Consumers Who Purchase Short-Term Health Insurance Plans

    President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A... Read More

    President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect consumers who buy short-term health insurance plans that critics say amount to junk. A new rule finalized by the Democratic president's administration will limit these plans to just three months. And the plans can only be renewed for a maximum... Read More

    March 27, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    One-Time Treatment Could Revitalize Immune Systems in the Elderly

    PALO ALTO, Calif. — A new study suggests that a one-time treatment that modulates the composition of a type of... Read More

    PALO ALTO, Calif. — A new study suggests that a one-time treatment that modulates the composition of a type of immune cell could potentially revitalize the immune systems of the elderly, helping their bodies better react to viral and bacterial threats. The research was carried out... Read More

    March 27, 2024
    by Dan McCue
    Insurers to Expand Access to ‘Navigation Services’ for Cancer Patients

    WASHINGTON — Seven of the nation’s largest health insurance companies are expanding access to so-called “navigation services” to help patients... Read More

    WASHINGTON — Seven of the nation’s largest health insurance companies are expanding access to so-called “navigation services” to help patients and their families navigate the myriad challenges that might arise during treatment for cancer and other serious illnesses. The insurers involved are Aetna; Blue Cross Blue... Read More

    Five Takeaways From the Abortion Pill Case Before US Supreme Court

    WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday did not appear ready to limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone,... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday did not appear ready to limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone, in a case that could have far-reaching implications for millions of American women and for scores of drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. It's... Read More

    Biden and Harris Argue Democrats Will Preserve Health Care and Republicans Would Take It Away

    RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday promoted their health care agenda in... Read More

    RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday promoted their health care agenda in the battleground state of North Carolina, arguing that Democrats like themselves would preserve access to care while Republicans would reverse gains made over the past decade... Read More

    March 26, 2024
    by Tom Ramstack
    Supreme Court Skeptical of Ban on Abortion Pill Mifepristone

    WASHINGTON — A hearing Tuesday before the Supreme Court indicated a majority of the justices want to maintain women’s access... Read More

    WASHINGTON — A hearing Tuesday before the Supreme Court indicated a majority of the justices want to maintain women’s access to the abortion pill mifepristone despite objections from anti-abortion activists. The doctors and organizations who sued argued the Food and Drug Administration was wrong in granting... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top