Economic Impact of Social Support on Reducing Hospital Readmissions in Older Hypertensive Adults

The economic effect of social support in lowering hospital readmissions among hypertensive older adults is the focus of this literature review. The clinical and financial problem of readmission to hospitals in this group is acute, and the medical and social factors explain the problem. The social support that is provided in terms of emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support has been found to enhance medication adherence, self-care, and psychological well-being, reducing readmission rates and healthcare expenses. Although there is good evidence to support this, the ways of measurement of social support, socioeconomic attributes and discrepancy in interventions restrict the existing knowledge. In this review, the authors point to the following important processes that connect the social support to a decreased readmission: better after-discharge support and closer access to community services. It emphasizes the need to use culturally sensitive interventions which are targeted and incorporating social support in care transitions and chronic disease management programs. Social support models of policy initiatives and care coordination have been shown to be cost saving and to enhance the wellbeing of patients. Further studies on the subject matter can greatly contribute to the improvement of healthcare delivery, preventing readmission, as well as enhancing life quality of hypertensive older adults.