Social Support, Home Health Service Use, and Outcomes Among Four Racial-ethnic Groups

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

Design And 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.

Implications: 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.