CENSON Care Tackles Unmet Home Health Care Needs

Sheridan, WY, January 31, 2020 --(PR.com)-- Unmet home health care needs have been linked to poor health, increased use of other health services, admission to nursing homes and reduced emotional well-being.

Data from a Community Health Survey describes home care use and unmet home care needs by type (i.e., home health care [HHC] and support services) in community-dwelling adults. Among the population with home care needs, the degree to which needs were met, partially met or unmet is presented, as well as information about the barriers to obtaining home care services and the places services were sought. Multivariate analysis was used to examine factors associated with unmet home care needs by type, while controlling for predisposing, enabling and needs-related factors.

CENSON Care President Simon Censon noted, "Just over one-third (35.4%) of people with home care need did not have those needs met."

This was more prevalent among those with support needs than those with HHC needs. Availability of services was most often cited as a barrier to obtaining home care services, particularly for those with an unmet need for HHC services. Age group, household type, long-term care insurance and health status factors were associated with perceiving an unmet home care need, with few differences by type of unmet need.

The degree to which needs were met and the perceived barriers to obtaining home care services varied by type of unmet home care need. The results indicate proportionally higher unmet needs for home care services among adults aged 35 to 49. This suggests a possible service gap.

This demographic may be an ideal candidate for remote patient monitoring, due to their familiarity with technology.