Effectiveness of New Reactivation Approaches in Integrated Long-Term Care—Contribution to the Long-Term Care Act

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluates the effectiveness of an innovative, integrated healthcare approach based on the “Long-term Care (LTC) in the Community” pilot project, aimed at testing solutions for the new LTC Act and associated regulations in Slovenia. It is based on a small sample, which can be financed from European project funds. This methodology is crucial for the subordinate legislation derived from the LTC Act. Methods: We selected beneficiaries who decided to receive integrated services in their home environment in rural areas. Among 132 beneficiaries who received various care services at home, 75 beneficiaries received integrated services to maintain independence, while a control group of 57 persons did not receive these despite eligibility. The hypothesis that the new reactivation and other services to strengthen and maintain independence facilitate a transition to a lower category of LTC within the system of different states of abilities and that new approaches with integrated home care are much more successful were tested using the Z + 4 test. Results: Seven out of eight users’ abilities were improved by an inventive approach to LTC at home, including reactivation activities, with p < 0.025. The probability that the new methods will outperform the old ones for an arbitrarily selected senior eligible for LTC exceeded 0.89. Thus, we used quantitative methods to confirm the reasonableness of the decisions included in the LTC Act and will help to estimate savings in the health fund. Conclusions: These positive results promote the implementation of integrated care strategies, norms, and standards, which will be further articulated in subordinate legislation.