Date: 12/16/2020
Author(s): Joanne Spetz, Jacqueline Miller, Connie Kwong, and Laura Wagner
The Support at Home pilot program provided financial support for the purchase of home care services by middle-income adults with disabilities in San Francisco to support aging in place. The mixed-methods evaluation of the program incorporated administrative records, surveys of clients and comparison group members, surveys of unpaid caregivers, surveys of paid care providers, and focus groups with clients and unpaid caregivers. Results indicated statistically significant positive changes in client ratings of personal and financial stress, but not in the composite quality of life score. There were statistically significant reductions in attendance at medical appointments, falls, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Due to its positive impacts, San Francisco has made Support at Home a permanent program.