As home health care agencies face increased wage costs and an extremely competitive job market for health care workers, the burden of meeting Medicare shortfalls is being passed along to local and state governments to fill the gap. Adding to the mix are increasing medical insurance costs and higher gas prices, these problems seem to be growing faster than either the state or federal government can react to by providing funding needs for these agencies.
In order to reduce the costs of home care, agencies must have the proper funding to take advantage of technological advances for items such as remote monitoring and distribution services and focus on long-term, preventative health measures such as a health diet, adequate exercise and immunizations. While these suggestions just skim the surface of home health care, keeping seniors in their homes longer is 75% more cost effective than having the beds in nursing homes filled.
For more information on the topic in the state of Connecticut, click here.
