ADEQUACY OF INFORMAL CARE FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS GOING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL - DISCHARGE PLANNER PERSPECTIVES

This study addresses discharge planners' perspectives on the adequacy of informal care expected to be provided to older adults immediately f ollowing discharge from the hospital to home care. Professional discha rge planners anticipated that 25% of the caregiving units would be def icient in performing the tasks expected of them because patient care w as too demanding, the caregiver had too many other duties, and the car egiver was too frail. Patients with more physical and cognitive disabi lities were viewed to be at risk of inadequate informal care, as were poorer patients and patients living alone. Age of caregiver and size o f helping network were not related to adequacy ratings. However adult children, as opposed to spouses or other relatives, were expected to p rovide better care to confused older adults.