Attitudes toward and use of subsequent nursing home services among a national sample of older adults.

This study was designed to examine the relationship between attitudes toward nursing homes and subsequent nursing home utilization, and assess the impact of prior nursing home utilization on subsequent attitudes among a national sample of older Americans. Multivariate estimation procedures for complex survey designs were performed on the National Long-Term Care Survey data set. Although prior nursing home use did not directly affect subsequent attitudes toward nursing homes, having favorable attitudes about nursing homes increased the odds of using subsequent nursing home services by 1.5 and increased the total nursing home length of stay by 17%. Implications of this research for public policy and long-term care treatment planning are discussed.