Case Study of Elderly Home Health Care Users

摘要

Cross-sectional analyses of all 4,235 ADL/IADL impaired respondents, age 60+, in the 1984 National Health Interview Survey on Aging (SOA) revealed that certain ADL/IADL limitations were most strongly associated with Home Health Care (HHC) use. Those with ADL needs were more likely to be HHC users than Other Community Service users (OCS) or Non-Community Service users (NCS). Among impaired elderly receiving help, IADL users were more likely to receive paid help. Additionally, HHC users were more likely to be female, in poor health, unmarried, or have low income. A case control study of the 418 HHC users matched by age and sex to OCS and NCS users showed that HHC users were in poorer health, and were more likely to live with others and have higher incomes. Every ADL and IADL limitation was more common in HHC users than in controls. Multiple regression analyses revealed selected ADLs and IADLs to be the most significant functional status predictors of HHC use. In summary, while functional status, appropriately, is the strongest predictor of HHC use, sociodemographic factors also predict HHC use among the elderly.