Perceptions of case management services for elderly people

Currently, case management is receiving considerable attention in the aging network as a means of coordinating and integrating services for elderly clients. However, social workers require additional data to better understand the use of this innovation. Formative data on how referral agents perceive one case management program for elderly people is provided. Most of the 137 referral agents who responded to questionnaires (259 questionnaires were mailed) viewed the program as appropriate in addressing basic social support needs of elderly people and inappropriate in addressing more complex physical and mental health problems. Although the referral agents perceived staff to be generally qualified, they also perceived the program to be understaffed and not building adequate awareness of its availability. Finally, perceptions of the adequacy of staffing and commitment of staff to serving elderly people were the strongest correlates of the program's perceived effectiveness.