Who are these patients and what services do they receive?

The purpose of this study was to develop baseline information concerning older adults who use psychiatric home healthcare services, identify critical components of interventions provided over the course of treatment, and identify outcomes associated with this type of home care. This review focused on patients 65 years or older with Medicare coverage and a primary or secondary diagnosis of depression. Retrospectively, 107 charts were reviewed, beginning with those of patients most recently discharged. These psychiatric home care patients had complex healthcare problems, required family caregivers and multiple home healthcare services, and experienced variable outcomes. These findings support the need for more information regarding specific interventions provided to patients and their family caregivers and what effect these interventions have on patient and caregiver outcomes.