A study of selected home care programs : a joint project of the Public Health Service and the Commission on Chronic Illness.

  • United States. Public Health Service.
Date:
1955]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A study of selected home care programs : a joint project of the Public Health Service and the Commission on Chronic Illness. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Collection of Data Although extensive home medical care was available to beneficiaries, when needed, it was impossible to differentiate completely, for sta- tistical purposes, between those receiving “home care” and those receiving other types of medical care. In the first place, the terms “admission to” and “discharge from’’ home care did not apply in this program. The beneficiaries received all types of medical care wherever needed— at home, in the doctor’s office, in a boarding home or nursing home, in a hospital, or else- where. Since medical service in the home was an integral part of the total medical care pro- vided, no clear-cut separation of patients on home care could be made; for example, would a single medical visit in the patient’s home be classified as home care, or a single nursing visit, or even two or three visits? And how would beneficiaries be classified who receive housekeeping service due to illness but little or no medical care through the institute? To make any distinction, it would have been necessary to set up an arbitrary definition of “home care” for specific use in this particular program, with obvious pursuant difficulties. Therefore no attempt was made to differentiate ‘home care’ from other forms of medical care provided to each beneficiary. A record of the medical services provided through the institute was available in the beneficiaries’ ledger. Information on age, sex, diagnosis, and living arrangements were readily obtainable from social service case records. Origin of the Program The Chicago Department of Welfare is responsible for providing general assistance to indigent residents of Chicago. Its program is designed to aid recipients in a manner that will conserve and develop human resources, create opportunities for self-development, and contribute to the general welfare of the indi- vidual, the family, and the community. This philosophy has guided the development of individualized case services, and has led to a steady increase in the scope and intensity of services available to recipients. The importance of health in overall plans has long been recognized by the department, and a comprehensive plan for medical care was organized in 1933. In addition to the medical care program, the department operates a convalescent home, and has responsibility for casework services, vocational counseling, train- ing and placement, home economics services, and services to children in foster homes and institutions. The medical section of the department’s service bureau is responsible for— 1. Determining the employability of appli- cants and recipients and establishing their work limitations, if any. 2. Providing types of medical care not im- mediately essential to maintain life, but neces- sary to make a person physically able to support himself and his family; for example, dental care, medical appliances, eye glasses, and elective surgery. 3. Providing medical and convalescent care to recipients who were acutely or chronically ill or who had been injured. 4. Participating in the formulation of general assistance policies and procedures relating to medical care. In order to meet these responsibilities, the bureau has made arrangements to furnish a full range of services, including medical care, nursing care, medical social service, dental care, physical and occupational therapy, and such supplementary items as special diets and