Adult Protective Intensive Case Management Hospital Liaison Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

In response to the aging population’s need for sufficient health care, the County Board of Supervisor’s created a system of protective services to elderly, dependent adults who tend to be subject to neglect and exploitation. Sacramento County’s innovative Adult Protective Services Program created a comprehensive response system of protection for the older population across a range of public and private sector organizations by simply adding intensive case management services. Funded by a combination of county, federal, state, and hospital funds, the program positively impacts health care delivery challenges by providing case management service interventions that can expedite the emergency department and inpatient discharge process for high-risk seniors, ages 65 and older. It also makes access to community resources that address the health, mental health, and social service needs of seniors more efficient. Without case management, Adult Protective Services operates merely as a short-term crisis intervention program, with cases open no more than one month. Through Sacramento’s new program, the Adult Protective Services helps to: prevent extended lengths of stay for hospital admissions; prevent medically unnecessary admissions by facilitating and expediting the emergency department discharge process; prevent medically unnecessary repeat hospitalizations and visits to the emergency department; improve the quality and continuity of care for discharged seniors; and develop a coordinated referral and communication process between hospital staff and APS.