Care at Home: Groundbreaking or Overhyped?

This study investigates the viability of home care for patients with chronic conditions, focusing on the key factors that influence successful transitions from hospital to home settings: medical stability, care needs, the availability of digital and technological support, and caregiver preparedness. While home care can offer advantages in certain contexts, such as improved patient comfort and reduced institutional costs, its effectiveness is limited for patients with complex medical conditions or cognitive impairments. Key challenges include high costs, the need for continuous monitoring, and the reliance on skilled caregivers. Based on the insights from our general use case and current insights into care initiatives, we suggest that home care may not be a viable solution for patients requiring intensive, long-term care. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with their more consistent resources and infrastructure, may provide a safer and more sustainable environment. Consequently, the research advocates for prioritizing investment in these facilities over expanding home care infrastructure.