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Supporting Medical Adult Day Services in Maryland: Leveraging Governor Wes Moore's Longevity Maryland Initiative - Aug. 6, 2024

Governor Wes Moore's Longevity Maryland initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults through comprehensive health and wellness programs. Medical adult day services (MADS) are a critical component of this initiative, offering essential support for physical and psychosocial well-being. However, many older adults do not qualify for Maryland Medical Assistance, creating a need for additional funding. Maryland's local Departments on Aging can align with the Longevity Maryland initiative to provide this funding, ensuring broader access to these vital services.

Evidence and Benefits

1. Improved Participant Outcomes: Adult day services significantly improve participants' physical and psychosocial well-being. These services align with Longevity Maryland's goal of enhancing life quality through health monitoring and social interaction (Dabelko & Zimmerman, 2008)

2. Standardization and Efficiency: Developing uniform outcome measures for MADS can streamline data collection and improve service delivery. This supports the Longevity Maryland initiative by enhancing program efficiency and enabling better resource allocation (Anderson et al., 2018)

3. Increased Enrollment and Financial Performance: Targeted funding through grants and technical assistance has been shown to significantly increase enrollment and financial performance in MADS programs. This demonstrates how additional funding can drive success in line with the goals of Longevity Maryland (Reifler et al., 1999)

4. Enhanced Quality of Life: Participation in MADS correlates with improvements in health-related quality of life, particularly in physical and emotional health. This directly supports Longevity Maryland's mission to maintain and improve the well-being of older adults (Schmitt et al., 2010)

5. Supporting Dementia Caregivers: MADS provides critical respite and support for caregivers of individuals with dementia. Additional funding can enhance these programs' capacity to offer comprehensive caregiver support, including case management and educational resources, thus aligning with the holistic care approach promoted by Longevity Maryland (Anderson et al., 2015)

Conclusion

By leveraging Governor Wes Moore's Longevity Maryland initiative, local Departments on Aging can provide the necessary funding to expand access to medical adult day services for those who do not qualify for Medical Assistance. This support is essential in ensuring that all older adults receive the care they need, leading to improved health outcomes and a higher quality of life, in line with the goals of Longevity Maryland.

Resources

1. Dabelko, H. I., & Zimmerman, J. A. (2008). Outcomes of adult day services for participants: A conceptual model. *Journal of Applied Gerontology, 27*(1), 78-92.

2. Anderson, K., Geboy, L., Jarrott, S., Missaelides, L., Ogletree, A., Peters-Beumer, L., & Zarit, S. (2018). Developing a set of uniform outcome measures for adult day services. *Journal of Applied Gerontology, 39*(5), 670-676.

3. Reifler, B., Cox, N., Jones, B., Rushing, J., & Yates, K. (1999). Service use and financial performance in a replication program on adult day centers. *The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 7*(2), 98-109.

4. Schmitt, E. M., Sands, L., Weiss, S., Dowling, G., & Covinsky, K. (2010). Adult day health center participation and health-related quality of life. *The Gerontologist, 50*(4), 531-540.

5. Anderson, K., Dabelko-Schoeny, H., Fields, N., & Carter, J. (2015). Beyond respite: The role of adult day services in supporting dementia caregivers. *Home Health Care Services Quarterly, 34*(2), 101-112.

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Governor Wes Moore's Longevity Maryland initiative aims to improve older adults' quality of life. By providing additional funding for those who don't qualify for Maryland Medical Assistance, local Departments on Aging can expand access to medical adult day services, enhancing health and well-being through improved physical and psychosocial outcomes.

The Crucial Role of Medical Adult Day Services in Preventing Hospitalizations and Saving Managed Care Organizations Money - July 30, 2024

As healthcare costs continue to rise, managed care organizations (MCOs) face the ongoing challenge of providing high-quality care while controlling expenses. One effective strategy to achieve this balance is through the use of medical adult day services (MADS). These programs offer comprehensive healthcare and social support to older adults and individuals with chronic conditions, significantly reducing the risk of hospitalization and rehospitalization. This blog explores how MADS can help prevent hospitalizations, thereby saving money for managed care organizations.

Understanding Medical Adult Day Services

Medical adult day services provide a range of health and social services to adults who need supervised care during the day. These services include:

Healthcare Monitoring and Management: Regular medical check-ups, medication management, and chronic disease management.
Rehabilitation Services: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help individuals maintain or improve their functional abilities.
Nutritional Support: Balanced meals and dietary counseling tailored to individual health needs.
Social and Recreational Activities: Programs designed to stimulate cognitive function, promote physical activity, and enhance social interaction.
Caregiver Support: Respite care and educational resources for family caregivers.

Reducing Hospitalization Rates

1. Early Detection and Management of Health Issues

Medical adult day services provide continuous health monitoring, allowing for early detection of potential health issues. Regular check-ups and monitoring help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, preventing complications that often lead to hospitalization (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021).

2. Comprehensive Medication Management

Medication errors are a leading cause of hospital admissions among older adults. MADS ensure that participants take their medications correctly and consistently, reducing the risk of adverse drug events and hospital visits (Institute for Healthcare Improvement [IHI], 2020).

3. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation services help individuals regain or maintain their physical function, reducing the risk of falls and other injuries that could result in hospitalization. Regular physical therapy also aids in faster recovery post-hospitalization, decreasing the likelihood of rehospitalization (American Physical Therapy Association [APTA], 2021).

4. Nutritional Support

Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining health and preventing diseases. MADS provide nutritious meals and dietary guidance, addressing malnutrition and related health problems that can lead to hospitalization (National Council on Aging [NCOA], 2021).

Preventing Rehospitalization

1. Post-Hospitalization Care

MADS offer structured post-hospitalization care plans that include follow-up appointments, therapy, and medication management. This coordinated care reduces the chances of complications and readmissions (National Institutes of Health [NIH], 2020).

2. Education and Support for Chronic Conditions

Participants receive education on managing their chronic conditions, recognizing symptoms, and understanding when to seek medical attention. This knowledge empowers them to take an active role in their health, reducing the risk of rehospitalization (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

3. Social and Emotional Support

Social isolation and depression are significant factors contributing to poor health outcomes and rehospitalization. The social activities and support networks provided by MADS improve participants' mental health, leading to better overall health and fewer hospital visits (National Institute on Aging [NIA], 2021).

Financial Benefits for Managed Care Organizations

1. Lower Healthcare Costs

By reducing the rates of hospitalization and rehospitalization, MADS help to lower overall healthcare costs. Hospital stays are expensive, and preventing even a few can lead to substantial savings for MCOs (Kaiser Family Foundation [KFF], 2021).

2. Improved Health Outcomes

Participants in MADS tend to have better health outcomes due to the continuous care and support they receive. Healthier individuals require fewer medical interventions, translating to cost savings (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020).

3. Enhanced Patient Satisfaction

Providing access to MADS improves the quality of life for participants, leading to higher patient satisfaction. Satisfied patients are more likely to remain with their managed care plan, ensuring a stable membership base for MCOs (Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative [PCPCC], 2020).

Conclusion

Medical adult day services play a vital role in the healthcare continuum, offering preventive care, comprehensive health monitoring, and social support that collectively reduce the risk of hospitalization and rehospitalization. By investing in these services, managed care organizations can not only enhance the quality of care for their members but also achieve significant cost savings. The integration of MADS into managed care plans is a strategic move that benefits both patients and healthcare providers, fostering a healthier, more cost-effective healthcare system.

References

American Physical Therapy Association. (2021). Physical therapy and rehabilitation. Retrieved from [https://www.apta.org](https://www.apta.org)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Chronic disease prevention. Retrieved from [https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/index.htm](https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/index.htm)

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2020). Preventing adverse drug events. Retrieved from [http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Tools/Preventing-Adverse-Drug-Events-Medication-Reconciliation.aspx](http://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/Tools/Preventing-Adverse-Drug-Events-Medication-Reconciliation.aspx)

Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). Health care costs: A primer. Retrieved from [https://www.kff.org/health-costs/report/health-care-costs-a-primer/](https://www.kff.org/health-costs/report/health-care-costs-a-primer/)

Mayo Clinic. (2021). Chronic disease management. Retrieved from [https://www.mayoclinic.org](https://www.mayoclinic.org)

National Council on Aging. (2021). Nutrition services. Retrieved from [https://www.ncoa.org/article/nutrition-services](https://www.ncoa.org/article/nutrition-services)

National Institute on Aging. (2021). Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks. Retrieved from [https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks](https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks)

National Institutes of Health. (2020). Post-acute care and rehabilitation. Retrieved from [https://www.nih.gov](https://www.nih.gov)

Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative. (2020). The medical home's impact on cost and quality. Retrieved from [https://www.pcpcc.org/resource/medical-homes-impact-cost-quality](https://www.pcpcc.org/resource/medical-homes-impact-cost-quality)

World Health Organization. (2020). The impact of chronic disease. Retrieved from [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases)

Medical adult day services (MADS) offer comprehensive healthcare and social support, reducing hospitalizations and saving managed care organizations (MCOs) money. By providing health monitoring, medication management, rehabilitation, nutritional support, and caregiver resources, MADS prevent complications and rehospitalizations. This approach leads to lower healthcare costs, improved health outcomes, and enhanced patient satisfaction, making MADS a valuable investment for MCOs.