Experiences of older people following the introduction of consumer‐directed care to home care packages: A qualitative descriptive study

• Published in: Australasian journal on ageing 2018-12, Vol.37 (4), p.275-282
• Main Authors: Day, Jenny, Thorington Taylor, Ann C, Hunter, Sharyn, Summons, Peter, Riet, Pamela, Harris, Margaret, Maguire, Jane, Dilworth, Sophie, Jeong, Sarah, Bellchambers, Helen, Haydon, Gunilla, Higgins, Isabel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; ageing; Aging - psychology; Communication; Community Health Services - economics; Community Health Services - organization & administration; decision‐making; Female; Geriatrics - economics; Geriatrics - organization & administration; Health Care Costs; Health Care Surveys; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Services for the Aged - economics; Health Services for the Aged - organization & administration; Health Status; home care services; Home Care Services - economics; Home Care Services - organization & administration; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; interpersonal relationships; Interviews as Topic; Male; New South Wales; Patient Education as Topic; Patient Participation; Patient Satisfaction; Qualitative Research
• ISSN: 1440-6381; 1741-6612
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12553

Objective To explore the experiences of older people receiving home care package (HCP) support following the introduction of consumer‐directed care (CDC) by the Australian government on 1 July 2015. Methods Thirty‐one older people with existing HCP support from two service providers in regional New South Wales, Australia, participated in a face‐to‐face interview and/or a qualitative survey. Results Analysis revealed the theme of Choices: Preferences, constraints, balancing and choosing. Participants described choosing to live at home with HCP support; however, they were constrained by poor communication and information about service changes and options, personal budgets and access to future care. HCP services remained largely unchanged during transition to CDC. Conclusion Many aspects of the initial implementation of CDC were challenging for older people. Clear, relevant and timely communication and information about CDC and its consequences for consumers appear to be needed to enhance CDC.