THE CONNECTION SPHERE

          From 2018 to 2021, rates of post-acute rehabilitation facilities have declined from 55% to 50% while those of post-acute homes have increased, identifying a growing burden on the caregiving workforce in homes. Analysis of the Nevada State Inpatient Database files, individuals from minority racial groups, patients with upper extremities, Medicaid beneficiaries, and prolonged hospital length of stay in rural areas were found to likely to be discharged in homes rather than post-acute rehabilitation facilities, a trend that exacerbated with the hit of the Covid-19 pandemic. As the need for in-home caregivers rises, education of the geriatric workforce, including application of the 4Ms and telehealth, needs to be highlighted.