Barriers to a Timely Discharge From Short-Term Care in VA Community Living Centers. Issue 2 (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tyler, Denise A.; Shield, Renée R.; Harrison, Jill; Mills, Whitney L.; Morgan, Kristen E.; Cutty, Maxwell E.; Coté, Danielle L.; Allen, Susan M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging & social policy. Volume 32:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 141
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: Nursing homes -- length of stay -- discharge planning -- long-term services and supports; Older people -- United States -- Periodicals; Older people -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.605
• DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2019.1578607
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9420

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to identify the barriers to a timely discharge from short-term care in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Community Living Centers (CLCs). Ninety-nine interviews were conducted with CLC staff in leadership and direct-care positions in eight varied CLCs. Major themes identified through qualitative analysis as barriers to a timely discharge were a lack of patients' financial resources, low social support, and reluctance of some veterans and staff to view a timely veteran discharge as their goal. Staff also perceived that barriers were much more difficult to overcome in regions where community-based long-term services and supports were limited or nonexistent. Because VHA has lagged behind Medicaid more generally in terms of investment in these types of services, additional strategies are warranted to achieve the important policy goal of deinstitutionalizing VHA care and returning veterans to their homes in the community.