Distribution of African Americans in residential care/assisted living and nursing homes: more evidence of racial disparity?
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we examined racial separation in long-term care.


METHODS
We used a survey of a stratified sample of 181 residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) facilities and 39 nursing homes in 4 states.


RESULTS
Most African Americans resided in nursing homes and smaller RC/AL facilities and tended to be concentrated in a few predominantly African American facilities, whereas the vast majority of Whites resided in predominantly White facilities. Facilities housing African Americans tended to be located in rural, nonpoor, African American communities, to admit individuals with mental retardation and difficulty in ambulating, and to have lower ratings of cleanliness/maintenance and lighting.


CONCLUSIONS
These racial disparities may result from economic factors, exclusionary practices, or resident choice. Whether separation relates to inequities in care is undetermined.
Howard
Daniel L
DL
Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, Environmental Science Program, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Sloane
Philip D
PD
Zimmerman
Sheryl
S
Eckert
J Kevin
JK
Walsh
Joan F
JF
Buie
Verita C
VC
Taylor
Persephone J
PJ
Koch
Gary G
GG
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D009657:North Carolina; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011287:Prejudice; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data