ABSTRACT
The focus moves from individual projects to the groups as a whole to identify common and differentiating elements in program characteristics and research findings and to explore policy implications. It briefly reviews on community-based long term care demonstrations that could not be included in this monograph, provides a framework by which the projects can be compared and arrays these projects in terms of this model. It also focuses on what has been learned from the projects collectively by analyzing their research findings. In addition, gaps in knowledge are identified, some of the dilemmas in research on community-based projects are discussed, and an alternative to the time-limited demonstration approach is presented. Finally, the chapter looks at the policy environment of these projects. It outlines the impact these projects already have had in reshaping public policy related to the delivery and reimbursement of long term care, explores the tradeoffs inherent in various policy options, and offers recommendations.
