With few exceptions, most studies of home care
are based on data from the general population of
elders where the very frail constitute a small proportion
of the sample. Further, most of the data on
home care use are based on self-reports from users,
and consequently, because of the inherent difficulty
in recalling the details of such use, information on
the volume of services used by older people is limited.
Thus, in order to more accurately measure the
use of services, researchers have discussed and demonstrated
the value of using an agency's information
system as a tool for long-term care research (see
Applebaum & Phillips, 1990; Bass et al., 1992). Accordingly,
this study used data collected by agencies
who provide and coordinate services for the Community
Care Services Program (CCSP), which is
funded by the Medicaid waiver in Georgia. To improve
upon the existing literature, this study examined
the predictors of the type (health as compared
with social services), volume, and mix of health and
social services prescribed to frail older people. Thus,
the study addressed the following questions: