The Region : State Grants AIDS Funds

Four local AIDS social service groups have received a $400,000 state grant to set up a home health care program for AIDS patients, according to AIDS Project Los Angeles. The demonstration project will provide financial, religious and psychological counseling, as well as housekeeping and health care services, said Robert Whirry, spokesman for the nonprofit community services organization. The program will analyze such things as what services can be provided at home, and how hospital costs can be cut by providing a variety of home health care services, Whirry said. The county Health Department will conduct a cost-effectiveness study of the program, to compare home and hospital costs. A typical AIDS patient encounters about $140,000 in hospital care costs during the course of the disease. Those participating besides AIDS Project Los Angeles are the Shanti Foundation, AID for AIDS, and the Visiting Nurses Assn. of Los Angeles Inc.