Repurposing an old tool to yield new insights about quality of care

The National Core Indicators – Aging and Disabilities (NCI-AD) assessment tool could help compare care and quality of life for seniors and adults with physical disabilities.

NCI-AD is a consumer-experience survey that includes a background survey about the consumer from agency records. It also includes an in-person survey that asks consumers, or a proxy if necessary, about their satisfaction with the services and their outcomes.

The tool was built in 2012 by the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) and the Human Services Research Institute. Actually, it was adapted by the NCI in 1997.

What’s new is how the tool is being used. As more and more states sign on to use the new NCI-AD, this tool has the potential to provide valuable data for state-to-state, regional, agency and programmatic comparisons to improve the care and quality of life for consumers receiving services.

Kansas, New Jersey, Tennessee and Texas plan to use the data to evaluate managed care organizations and quality of services. North Carolina and New Jersey plan assess quality in skilled nursing facilities and home- and community-based settings. Eleven states will have data on Medicaid services and non-Medicaid Older Americans Act services. An additional five to eight states could start using the tool next year.

Read more here.

Related: Study: More insurance options can improve long-term care services and supports

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.