Characteristics and use of home health care by men and women aged 65 and over.

OBJECTIVE

This report presents national estimates on differences in the use of home health care between men and women aged 65 years and over.

METHODS

Estimates are based on data from the 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

RESULTS

In the United States, men aged 65 years and over used home health care at a lower rate than women. Among home health care patients 65 years and over, women were more likely to be 85 years and over while men were more likely to be married and receive home health care as post-acute care. Women 65 years and over who received home health care were less likely than males to receive wound care and physical therapy, and more likely to receive homemaker services. Among home health care patients who were 65 years and over, cancer was more prevalent among men, and essential hypertension was more common among women.