Geriatric Patient Outcomes and Costs in Three Settings: Nursing Home, Foster Family, and Own Home

Abstract

Forty‐nine matched triads of geriatric patients were compared after three months in their respective placement settings: nursing homes, geriatric foster homes, and own homes with supportive services. Compared to similarly disabled patients in nursing homes, patients in the two community settings made greater improvements in selfcare skills and mobility, expressed greater well‐being, had similar types and amounts of morbidity, and entailed lower costs. The results support the expansion of home and community‐based services as alternatives to institutional care for a substantial number of geriatric patients.