Advance directives: a program design for home healthcare.

Home care agencies receiving Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement are now required to adhere to the regulations of the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990. These regulations require all agencies to inform clients older than 18 years of their right to plan for their care in advance, and to provide clients with the agency's written policy respecting this right. It also requires that agencies educate their staff about the new provisions. This report presents a program designed to orient all new and continuing home care staff members with the requirements to ensure compliance with this important directive.