Phantoms of Home Care

Alzheimer's disease is a major cause of illness, imposing social,economic,and psychological burdens.Over 5 million,primarily older,Americans were estimated to have Alzheimer's disease in 2007,with estimates of 11-16 million projected for 2050.As of 2008, there are an estimated 30 million people with dementia worldwide.By 2050,it is projected that this figure will have increased to over 100 million.Most Alzheimer's disease person live at home where they are cared for by family and friends,creating significant burdens.Research indicates no effective medical interventions,but there are psychosocial interventions which benefit the Alzheimer's population.Despite these findings,the Medicare home health benefit provides virtually no psychosocial care to this population.There has been no research on how home care social workers and nurses perceive,cope with,and make decisions about this population and the impact on their care needs.The book presents a study of thirty-three home care nurses and thirty-nine home care social workers.The book recommends actions which should help researchers,policymakers and advocates create more cost-effective.