A large portion of the Texas population consists of residents over 65, who often require in-home healthcare services. However, long waiting lists for Medicaid home services create significant risks for this portion of the community through an increased susceptibility to diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, and traumas, such as from falls (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 2019). While there are other programs that provide such services, they might not be sufficient. It is projected that the demand for in-home care will continue to rise alongside the aging population, while the readmission rate of 12,9% suggests that quality improvements are also required (Dudley et al., 2020; Samuel et al., 2022). Based on this data, it is feasible to propose opening a home health agency in Texas to support its aging population.
It is vital to ensure that the reach of such an agency is sufficient for the area. The essential services that are necessary to be considered include home-delivered meals, primary care at home, special services for individuals with disabilities, socialization visits, and adult foster care (Texas Health and Human Services, n.d.). Among the workforce, nurses will play a vital part in this agency. Registered nurses and nurse practitioners are especially in demand in this area, although this trend is expected to decrease over time (Texas Department of State Health Services, n.d.). By adding social workers to the agency staff, it is also possible to cover major issues that cause the need for long-term care. The financial concerns include staff visits, equipment purchase and maintenance, and service logistics. Although there are over 1,200 facilities for older adults in Texas, the projections suggest that it will not be sufficient in long term (“Press Room Archive,” n.d.). Referrals can be achieved through physician recommendations, word of mouth, and media advertisements.
In conclusion, a properly organized home health agency can benefit the older part of the Texas population on a large scale, as the projections suggest an increase in demand for this type of service. Long-term care can alleviate health, accessibility, and socialization issues among a significant portion of local communities. Despite the presence of similar services in the area, the addition of a home care agency can help older adults who struggle to gain Medicaid-provided benefits due to long waiting lists.
References
Dudley, N., Miller, J., Breslin, M. L., Chapman, S. A., & Spetz, J. (2020). The impact of nurse delegation regulations on the provision of home care services: A four-state case study. Medical Care Research and Review, 78(1), 47S-56S. Web.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2019). What is the lifetime risk of needing and receiving long-term services and supports? Web.
Press Room Archive. (n.d.). Texas Health Care Association. Web.
Samuel, S., Viggeswarpu, S., Wilson, B., & Ganesan, M. (2022). Readmission rates and predictors of avoidable readmissions in older adults in a tertiary care centre. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 11(9), 5246–5253. Web.
Texas Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Long-term care providers. Web.
Texas Department of State Health Services. (n.d.). Nursing supply and demand projections. Web.