title: Factors Associated with Inpatient Hospital (Re)admissions in Medicare Beneficiaries in Need of Food Assistance.
abstract: Little is known about pathways underlying inpatient hospital (re)admissions in older adults unable to meet basic needs. This study examined the factors associated with (re)admissions in a sample of low-income older Medicare beneficiaries in need of food assistance in Georgia in 2008 (N = 892, mean age 75.4 ± 8.8 years, 30.3% Black, 68.5% female). About 35.3% of the sample experienced 1 + hospital (re)admissions. (Re)admissions were significantly more likely in individuals who requested Older Americans Act Nutrition Program Home Delivered Meals services (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4, 3.8), had more outpatient emergency room visits (1 visit: OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.4, 3.1; 2+ visits: OR 3.6; 95% CI 2.4, 5.4), and experienced greater multimorbidity (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4, 3.1). Support for home and community-based services may be critical in reducing potentially avoidable inpatient hospital (re)admissions.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Foods and Nutrition , College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia , Athens , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: Elisabeth Lilian Pia
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sattler
authors.forename: Jung Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Henry N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005522:Food Services; D005845:Georgia; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011203:Poverty; D014481:United States
keywords: Medicare beneficiaries; Older Americans Act Nutrition Program; food assistance; home and community-based services; inpatient hospital readmissions; older adults; poverty