A method to determine case manager caseloads in long-term care

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Gerontology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Home- and community-based long-term care (LTC) systems face challenges with cost and fragmentation.
• Case management is a key strategy to address these issues in LTC.
• The cost-effectiveness of case management is influenced by case manager caseload size.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a method for determining recommended caseloads in home- and community-based LTC programs.
• To provide a framework adaptable to different program histories and contexts.
• To balance the cost-efficiency of case management with the quality of care provided.

Main Methods:

• Development of a caseload determination method.
• Application of the method using a case study of an LTC program.
• Analysis of factors influencing caseload size and program costs.

Main Results:

• A specific method for calculating recommended caseloads was developed and applied.
• The study highlights the trade-off between caseload size, program costs, and quality of care.
• The proposed method is adaptable for various home- and community-based LTC settings.

Conclusions:

• Establishing appropriate caseloads is vital for effective and efficient case management in LTC.
• The presented method offers a practical approach for LTC programs to determine optimal caseloads.
• Adaptability of the method allows for broader application across diverse long-term care systems.