Palliative Access Through Care at Home: Experiences with an Urban, Geriatric Home Palliative Care Program

摘要: The aging of the U.S. population has resulted in a large number persons with multiple, chronic illnesses and gradual functional decline. Many older adults these conditions are homebound have great difficulty accessing medical care. They also more likely to suffer from unaddressed symptoms end-of-life care needs. Certain groups, such as African-American patients dementia, even less access palliative hospice services. Although informal caregivers attending may become overwhelmed without adequate support, care, which covers broad population, is an optimal way address many This article describes unique, urban, home-based geriatrics program (Palliative Access Through Care at Home (PATCH)) designed some unmet After 1 year providing service, mixed-methods study consisting chart review, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews was conducted assess caregiver expectations satisfaction program. Caregivers for elderly, mostly patients, than half whom had were overall very satisfied their experience, despite amount time necessary provide that required. Themes extracted during qualitative analysis desire remain home, need easy practitioner specializing medicine, challenges transitions PATCH able needs high levels satisfaction.