Final answer:
The growth of home healthcare is driven by earlier discharges from hospitals, an aging population with chronic illnesses, reimbursement limits, family preferences for non-institutionalized care, and advancements in telehealth. This shift in care is influenced by societal changes, healthcare efficiency, and expanded access.
Step-by-step explanation:
Several factors have influenced the growth of home healthcare, notably:
- Patients have an increased acuity level following earlier hospital discharge, necessitating continued care at home.
- A demographic shift shows people are living longer with multiple chronic illnesses, requiring ongoing care.
- In-hospital reimbursement limits set by diagnosis-related Groups (DRGs) and allowed services have shifted the focus toward more cost-effective home care options.
- Some families prefer to avoid institutionalizing their relatives, and therefore, choose home healthcare as an alternative.
- The rise of telehealth and technological support services has made it feasible to provide complex in-home care.
- While advanced practice levels can enhance home health nursing, it is not necessarily a requirement for all nurses in the field.
Home healthcare is responding to increased demands due to a growing elderly population and changes in healthcare delivery that prioritize efficiency, like the integration of telemedicine and the expansion of healthcare access. Furthermore, societal values and economic pressures influence family decisions regarding the care of their elderly, with many seeking to maintain their family members in a home environment for as long as possible.