Health Affairs Forefront Article: Supporting Family Caregivers In Hospital At Home
Health Affairs Forefront has published an article, "Supporting Family Caregivers In Hospital At Home," written by Rani E. Snyder, JAHF's vice president of program.
The article underscores the pivotal role family caregivers play in the Hospital-at-Home programs, particularly within the framework of the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCaH) waiver initiative launched by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This allows certain Medicare-certified hospitals to deliver inpatient-level care in homes, with family caregivers serving as integral members of the care team.
The research and lessons learned are reviewed from implementation of Hospital at Home (HaH) and the article notes that HaH programs are building on a track record of positive outcomes. HaH programs' success heavily relies on family caregivers' active involvement; however, many lack formal training, leading to increased stress and potential risks for both patients and caregivers. The article advocates for comprehensive support systems, including proper training and resources, to empower family caregivers in their roles.
The author also emphasizes the need for policy reforms to formally acknowledge and support family caregivers within healthcare systems. By doing so, healthcare outcomes for older patients can be improved, and the overall effectiveness of HaH programs can be enhanced.
Read the article.
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Learn more about JAHF's co-support of Health Affairs Age-Friendly Health series and of the Hospital at Home Users Group.
