Including unpaid caregivers into discharge planning for the elderly patient population reduces readmissions.
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published the study. Researchers conducted a systemic review of previous research designed to assess the effect of caregiver integration in discharge planning on healthcare costs. Analysis of the studies revealed integrating informal caregivers — often times spouses or family members — into the discharge planning practice was associated with a 25 percent reduction in the likelihood of an elderly patient being readmitted to the hospital within 90 days of discharge and a 24 percent reduction in the possibility of readmission within 180 days of discharge.
Lisa Remington is widely recognized as one of the foremost futurists in the home care industry, focusing on healthcare trends and disruptive innovation. She serves as the president and publisher of the Remington Report magazine and is also the President of Remington’s Think Tank Strategy Institute. Lisa provides strategic advice and education to over 10,000 organizations, assisting them in developing transformative strategies for growth and their future implications. She closely monitors complex trends and forces of change to develop effective strategic approaches.
