Trends and lssues in Outcome Research for Home Healthcare Support for Elderly Persons Requiring Care in Japan

Abstract

This paper aims to examine trends and issues in outcome research for home healthcare support for aged persons requiring care in Japan. 33 papers on outcome research released from 2000 to 2005 were classified by their evaluation standards: targets for support and subjects for evaluation, evaluation indicators, and measurement scales.

These outcome research papers took their evaluation indicators principally from changes occurring in elderly patients and their family-member carers. Within these, the widespread adoption of indicators such as IADL and AD L that involve physical function and improvement of health problems was characteristic.

This paper also addresses issues such as the need for indicators and scales that might prove effective for outcome evaluation of home healthcare support, as well as how to proceed with the funher validation of these. More research aiming to ensure quality of home healthcare support should be expected, including the development of new evaluation indicators and scales.