Abstract
This descriptive study examines quality of care issues among licensed and unlicensed home care agencies in California. Data were collected from interviews with 56 key informants in state and federal agencies, representatives of provider associations, consumer groups, professional associations, licensed and unlicensed home care providers, referral agencies, and legislators. Primary and secondary data from state and federal sources were collected and analyzed. Many problems were found in the quality of services delivered by both licensed and unlicensed agencies. Most respondents were concerned about the potentially serious quality of care problems for consumers who received care from unlicensed agencies. However, the large number of providers and the diversity in provider types offering home care services make it difficult to monitor the quality of care being delivered in the home. The findings indicate that there are similar problems in the quality of services provided by licensed and unlicensed agencies. Licensure does not assure that the quality of services wilfbe adequate. The development of stronger, more uniform standards for licensed and unlicense.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 115-138 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | Home Health Care Services Quarterly |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 13 1989 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:ABSTRACT. This descriptive study examines quality of care issues among licensed and unlicensed home care agencies in California. Data were collected from interviews with 56 key informants in state and federal agencies, representatives of provider associations, consumer groups, professional associations, licensed and unlicensed home care providers, referral agencies, and legislators. Primary and secondary data from state and federal sources were collected and analyzed. Many problems were found in the quality of services delivered by both licensed and unlicensed agenaes. Most respondents were concerned about the potentially serious quality of care problems for consumers who received care from unlicensed agencies. However, the large number of providers and the diversity in provider types offering home care services make it difficult to moni(or the quality of care bein delivered in the home. The findi?gs indicate that there are simi fa: r problems in the quality of servrces provided by licensed and unlicensed a encies. Licensure does not assure that the quality of services wil kb e adequate. The development of stronger, more uniform standards for licensed and unlicensed Leslie A. Grant and Charlene Harrington are affiliated with the Institute for Health and Aging, Universily of California, San Francisco, CA 94143. This research was funded by an AARP Andrus Foundation Grant, "The Study of the Regulation of the Quality of Home Care Services in Two States: California and Missouri" (January 1. 1988 to December 31, 1988).