The effects of nonprofessional caregivers on the rehospitalization of elderly recipients in home healthcare

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the presence and types of nonprofessional caregivers on the rehospitalization of elderly recipients in home healthcare (HHC). Outcome and Assessment Information Set records of 9832 elderly recipients discharged from hospitals were selected for multivariate analyses. The likelihood of rehospitalization among elderly recipients of HHC did not vary on the basis of the presence and types of nonprofessional caregivers. The findings suggest that when elderly patients are receiving formal HHC services, their risk for rehospitalization is not affected by the presence or the specific types of nonprofessional caregivers.