Early Discharge from home health therapy services for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) experience barriers to accessing care that they need, including home health therapy services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy). Clinicians report difficulty engaging patients with ADRD in therapy sessions, especially during the later stages of the disease. There is limited information about how the existing barriers and challenges impact an individual with ADRD’s likelihood of being discharged from therapy services earlier than planned. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between early discharge from home health services and (a) dementia severity, (b) caregiver support, and (c) medication management.