Racial and ethnic disparities in the outcomes of elderly home care recipients

Home Health Care Serv Q. 2005;24(3):1-21. doi: 10.1300/J027v24n03_01.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine racial/ethnic disparities in functional outcomes of elderly home health care recipients. Analyses were conducted using Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data for a nationally representative sample of home health care episodes for patients aged 65 and older. Risk-adjusted regression analyses examined the association between race/ethnicity and functional outcomes. Fourteen outcome measures reflected improvement in specific functional areas (e.g., ambulation) and two reflected overall functional change. Non-Hispanic Whites (Whites) experienced substantially better functional outcomes than did home health care recipients of other racial/ethnic backgrounds. The disparity in outcomes was most pronounced between Whites and African Americans.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ethnicity*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Health Status
  • Home Care Agencies*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • United States