The impact of home care on acute care utilization and patient outcomes

Project Summary

With Canada’s population aging rapidly, more people rely on home care to help them live safely at home. Yet it’s unclear how different mixes of formal and informal care affect health outcomes. Our study uses data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to classify participants based on whether they receive high or low levels of formal and informal care over time. We then examine whether these different combinations lead to fewer hospital visits, better quality of life, or delayed admission to long-term care. By pinpointing which types and intensities of care work best, our findings will help guide policies and programs that support older adults and their families in the community.