TY - JOUR
T1 - Balancing formal and informal care for older persons
T2 - How case managers respond
AU - Peckham, Allie
AU - Williams, A. Paul
AU - Neysmith, Sheila
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2014 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2014/6
Y1 - 2014/6
N2 - This study examined how front-line home and community-care (H&CC) case managers view the role of informal caregivers, and the factors that contribute to H&CC managers' resource allocation decisions. The study research used two methods of data collection: (a) secondary analysis of the results from balance of care (BoC) simulations conducted in nine regions of Ontario, and (b) in-depth follow-up interviews with participating BoC case managers. Results suggest that case managers unanimously agree that the unit of care in the H&CC sector is not confined to the individual, as in acute care, but encompasses both the individual and the caregiver. We found, however, considerable variation in the mix and volume of H&CC services recommended by case managers. We conclude that variability in decision making may reflect the lack of regulations, best practices, and accountability guidelines in the H&CC sector.
AB - This study examined how front-line home and community-care (H&CC) case managers view the role of informal caregivers, and the factors that contribute to H&CC managers' resource allocation decisions. The study research used two methods of data collection: (a) secondary analysis of the results from balance of care (BoC) simulations conducted in nine regions of Ontario, and (b) in-depth follow-up interviews with participating BoC case managers. Results suggest that case managers unanimously agree that the unit of care in the H&CC sector is not confined to the individual, as in acute care, but encompasses both the individual and the caregiver. We found, however, considerable variation in the mix and volume of H&CC services recommended by case managers. We conclude that variability in decision making may reflect the lack of regulations, best practices, and accountability guidelines in the H&CC sector.
KW - aging at home
KW - balance of care
KW - case managers
KW - home and community care
KW - informal caregiver
KW - street-level bureaucracy
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U2 - 10.1017/S0714980814000105
DO - 10.1017/S0714980814000105
M3 - Article
C2 - 24780306
AN - SCOPUS:84903277995
VL - 33
SP - 123
EP - 136
JO - Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue canadienne du vieillissment/Canadian Public Policy/Analyse de Politiques
JF - Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue canadienne du vieillissment/Canadian Public Policy/Analyse de Politiques
SN - 0714-9808
IS - 2
ER -