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. 2009 Oct;53(1):718-722.
doi: 10.1177/154193120905301118.

Older Adults' Needs for Home Health Care and the Potential for Human Factors Interventions

Tracy L Mitzner  1 , Jenay M Beer  1 , Sara E McBride  1 , Wendy A Rogers  1 , Arthur D Fisk  1
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Older Adults' Needs for Home Health Care and the Potential for Human Factors Interventions

Tracy L Mitzner et al. Proc Hum Factors Ergon Soc Annu Meet. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Demand for home health care is expected to increase as more people are living longer and because older adults rely on home health services to a greater extent than any other population (CDC, 2000). This paper provides an overview of older adults' home health care needs as well as guidance for potential human factors interventions to reduce medical errors and improve quality of care and independence for older patients. Factors discussed include reducing transition and handoff errors, ensuring proper use of medical devices, managing medication, and optimizing home health settings. The importance of considering the role of normal age-related changes in abilities when evaluating patients' needs is highlighted. The goal of this analysis is to provide guidance for human factors interventions in home health care.

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References

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    1. Administration on Aging. A Profile of Older Americans: 2006. 2006 Retrieved from http://www.aoa.gov/PROF/Statistics/profile/2006/2006profile.pdf.
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    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Home Health Care and Hospice Survey Data. 2000 Retrieved January 7, 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhhcsd/curhomecare00.pdf.
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