Social support, home health service use, and outcomes among four racial-ethnic groups.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored similarities and differences in social support, home health service utilization, and health outcomes across four racial-ethnic groups of elders.


METHODS
1999 Outcomes Assessment Information Set records for 7,374 home care recipients who were 75 years of age or older and who were discharged to self-care were selected for bivariate and multivariate analyses.


RESULTS
Similar levels of skilled service utilization were observed across racial or ethnic groups. Disparities were found in supportive assistance and physical and mental health outcomes. At discharge to self-care, more Black elders had no supportive assistance compared with all other groups; fewer Hispanics and Asians had improved physical functioning compared with Black and White elders. More White elders reported anxiety and depressive symptoms than any other racial or ethnic group.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that racial-ethnic minorities and White elders may have differential needs for mental health and supportive services at discharge from home health care.
Peng
Timothy R
TR
Center for Home Care Policy and Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, 5 Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA. tpeng@vnsny.org
Navaie-Waliser
Maryam
M
Feldman
Penny H
PH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012944:Social Support