Can Partnerships Between Hospitals and Older Adult Centers Impact Healthcare Utilization and Medicare Costs Among People Living With Dementia?

Abstract

This study explored associations between hospital-older adult center (or senior centers) partnerships, healthcare utilization, and Medicare costs among community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Using a novel statewide dataset in Massachusetts (U.S.), we estimated multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear models, with individuals nested in the geographic catchment areas of older adult centers that did or did not report partnerships with hospitals. Individuals with dementia living in communities where older adult centers engaged in partnerships with hospitals had fewer hospital stays, on average. This association and those for other outcomes (e.g., readmissions, total costs) were especially robust for older adults with multiple chronic conditions and those dually eligible for health services through Medicare and Medicaid. Our findings indicate the importance of continued research, policy, and practice on the interfaces across health and social care settings to improve environments for people aging in place with dementia.