title: Variation in Older Americans Act caregiver service use, unmet hours of care, and independence among Hispanics, African Americans, and Whites.
abstract: Home- and community-based services (HCBS) are underused by minority seniors and their caregivers, despite greater rates of disability. We examined racial/ethnic variation among 1,749 Hispanics, African Americans, and Whites receiving Older Americans Act Title III caregiver services in 2009. In addition, we identified the volume of services used by caregivers, their unmet hours of respite care, and the relationship between service use and seniors' ability to live independently. Minority caregivers cared for seniors in urban areas who had higher rates of disability, poverty, and Medicaid coverage. Hispanics had the highest rate of unmet hours of care, while caregiver services were less likely to help African Americans remain at home. Minorities sought services through community agencies and were more educated than demographically similar national cohorts. Greater efforts to reach minority caregivers of less educated, disabled seniors in urban areas and through community agencies may reduce unmet needs and support independent living.
authors: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Health Administration and Policy Program, Department of Sociology and Anthropology/Center for Aging Studies, 252 Public Policy Building, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA. angelph@umbc.edu
authors: Angelica P
authors: AP
authors: Herrera
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: George
authors: Jacqueline L
authors: JL
authors: Angel
authors: Kyriakos
authors: K
authors: Markides
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Torres-Gil
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012144:Respite Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*