Understanding and Improving Psychosocial Services in Long-Term Care

In this issue of the Health Care Financing Review, we present research that speaks to the importance of psychosocial care and its relationship to the overall well-being and quality of life for people receiving long-term care (LTC) services in nursing homes and community-based settings. The articles address numerous psychosocial processes of care and outcomes within the LTC service spectrum. This overview discusses the rationale for examining psychosocial services in the context of quality of life in LTC; summarizes the focus of the articles in this issue; and highlights current CMS initiatives relevant to psychosocial needs in LTC including national data sources that measure psychosocial services and outcomes of care and can be used to develop programs to improve care and outcomes.