Future directions: alternative approaches to traditional hospital care-home hospital

The acute hospital may be a difficult environment for many older patients and is an expensive site of care for payers. Home hospital is an emerging model of care that allows an older person with acute medical illness to avoid an inpatient hospital admission by bringing the critical elements of hospital care to the home. Challenges associated with the development and study of home hospitals as well as several specific home hospital models are reviewed. The need for continued study and the potential of home hospital are discussed.