Is Aging in Place Delaying Nursing Home Admission?

OBJECTIVES

This study examines whether aging in place (community-based living before admission to a nursing home) delays nursing home admission among New York State home health care recipients.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study (January 2007-December 2012).

SETTING

New York State.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults age 65+ who received home health services for at least 2 months before permanent nursing home admission.

MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS

Permanent transition is defined as home care patients who are discharged to and stay at a nursing home for more than 3 months. Data were abstracted from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS). Descriptive and bivariate Kruskal-Wallis and χ(2) tests were performed.

RESULTS

The average age of nursing home residents at admission remained steady at 83 years between 2007 and 2012. The proportion of minority populations (Asian, black, Hispanic/Latino) increased, whereas the white population declined (P < .0001). The average length of stay at home increased 8 months, from 17 months in 2007 to 25 months in 2012 (P < .0001). Chronic conditions with significant increases in prevalence during the study period were hypertension (P < .0009), dementia (P < .0001), heart failure (P = .05), urinary incontinence (P < .0001), and bowel incontinence (P < .0001). Increases in functional disabilities requiring extensive human assistance included toileting, dressing, personal hygiene, and transferring (all P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Home health services enabled recipients to remain at home 8 months longer, thus delaying nursing home entry. Given the increase in prevalence of comorbidities and disability, we anticipate a concomitant increase in support services at the nursing home. These results may inform policy and staffing decisions regarding adjustments in required caregivers' credentials and nurse-patient ratios.