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Moving toward Medicare home health coverage for people with Alzheimer’s disease

Medicare home health care policy does not incorporate research evidence of effective palliative home care interventions for Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients and caregivers. This article examines the dissonance between the needs and burdens of Alzheimer's disease patients and caregivers, research results on medical and palliative care interventions, and medicalized public policy in the Medicare home health benefit. The article asserts existing research establishes a prima facie case exists for the federal government to fund a Medicare Palliative Home Care for Alzheimer's disease demonstration project. The article cites the success of the Medicare Hospice Demonstration project and Hospice Medicare Benefit in reducing costs and improving client quality of life as precedent and a model for Alzheimer's disease. Other research implications are identified.

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Additional Titles
Journal of Gerontological Social Work

Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
ISBN/ISSN
1540-4048;0163-4372
Resource Database
Social care online
Publication Year
2008
Issue Number
1/2
Volume Number
51
Start Page
77-86