In this episode of Aging Fast & Slow, we delve into ways to improve the quality of life of older adults needing home- and community-based services. We are joined by Dr. Kali Thomas, Associate Director of Health Services Research in the Center for Equity in Aging at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Dr. Thomas’ research spans the long-term services and supports continuum, ranging from in-home services to long-term care in assisted living communities. Together we explore these critical issues and discuss innovative approaches and policies to meet the comprehensive medical and non-medical needs of our aging population.

References:

Home-Delivered Meals

• Thomas KS, Parikh R, Zullo AR, Dosa D. (2018) Home-Delivered Meals and Risk of Self-Reported Falls: Results From a Randomized Trial. J Appl Gerontol. 2018 Jan;37(1):41-57. PMID: 27798291.
• Thomas KS, Smego R, Akobundu U, Dosa D. (2017) Characteristics of Older Adults on Waiting Lists for Meals on Wheels: Identifying Areas for Intervention. J Appl Gerontol. 2017 Oct;36(10):1228-1242. PMCID: PMC4877281.
• Thomas KS, Akobundu U, Dosa D. (2016) More Than A Meal? A Randomized Control Trial Comparing the Effects of Home-Delivered Meals Programs on Participants’ Feelings of Loneliness. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc. Sci. 2016 Nov;71(6):1049-1058. PMID: 26613620
• Thomas KS, Mor V. (2013) Providing more home-delivered meals is one way to keep older adults with low care needs out of nursing homes. Health Aff (Millwood). 2013 Oct;32(10):1796-1802. PMCID: PMC4001076.
• Thomas KS, Gadbois EA, Shield RR, Akobundu U, Morris AM, Dosa DM. (2018) “It’s not just a simple meal. It’s so much more”: Interactions between Meals on Wheels Clients and Drivers. J Appl Gerontol. 2018 Dec 20:733464818820226 [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 30569811.

Title III State Expenditures on In-Home Services

• Thomas KS. (2014) The relationship between Older Americans Act in-home services and low-care residents in nursing homes. J Aging Health. 2014 Mar;26(2):250-260. PMCID: PMC4112387.

Veteran-Directed Care / Self-Directed Care

• Yuan Y, Thomas KS, Frakt AB, Pizer SD, Garrido MM. (2019) Users Of Veteran-Directed Care And Other Purchased Care Have Similar Hospital Use And Costs Over Time. Health Affairs. 2019. 38(6):1037-104569.
• Thomas KS, Allen SM. (2016) Interagency partnership to deliver Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services: Interviews with Aging and Disability Network agency personnel regarding their experience with partner Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2016;53(5):611-618. PMID: 27898159.
• Yuan Y, Thomas KS, Van Houtven CH, Price ME, Pizer SD, Frakt AB, Garrido MM. (2022) Fewer potentially avoidable health care events in rural veterans with self-directed care versus other personal care services. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 May;70(5):1418-1428. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17656. Epub 2022 Jan 13. PMID: 35026056; PMCID: PMC9106846

Access to Benefits

• Thomas KS, Corneau E, Van Houtven C, Aron D, Dosa D, Allen SM. (2021) Inequities in Access to VA’s Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit to Finance Veterans’ Long-Term Care. Health Serv Res. 2021 Jun;56(3):389-399. PMID: 33634467; PMCID: PMC8143693.
• Kennedy KA, Corneau E, Rickard T, Mills WL, Thomas KS. VA Social Workers Identify Factors Predictive of Enrollment and Variability in Veterans’ Access to Aid and Attendance Benefits. J Gerontol Soc Work. 2023 Jul 24:1-21. PMID: 37483074