Abstract
A statewide probability sample of 1,625 elders living in Massachusetts are studied prospectively to identify key determinants of long-term care (LTC) institutionalization. One-hundred forty-seven elders, 9 per cent of the original cohort, entered a LTC institution during the six-year investigation. Using logistic multiple regression, we examine the predictive power of 19 independent variables grouped into six categories: demographic characteristics, attitude, social context, long-term care needs, physical disability, and mental/emotional disability. Five variables are significantly related to institutionalization: advancing age, using ambulatory aids, mental disorientation, living alone, and using assistance to perform "instrumental" ADL (activities of daily living). These results may be helpful to those trying to target non-institutional services to elders for use as substitutes for institutional long-term care. They may also help explain why recent experimental tests of substituting non-institutional care for institutional services have been less than successful.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Brody E. M. Follow-up study of applicants and non-applicants to a voluntary home. Gerontologist. 1969 Autumn;9(3):187–196. doi: 10.1093/geront/9.3_part_1.187. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Brody S. J., Poulshock S. W., Masciocchi C. F. The family caring unit: a major consideration in the long-term support system. Gerontologist. 1978 Dec;18(6):556–561. doi: 10.1093/geront/18.6.556. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Greenberg J. N., Ginn A. A multivariate analysis of the predictors of long-term care placement. Home Health Care Serv Q. 1979 Spring;1(1):75–99. doi: 10.1300/J027v01n01_04. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hicks B., Raisz H., Segal J., Doherty N. The triage experiment in coordinated care for the elderly. Am J Public Health. 1981 Sep;71(9):991–1003. doi: 10.2105/ajph.71.9.991. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kraus A. S., Spasoff R. A., Beattie E. J., Holden D. E., Lawson J. S., Rodenburg M., Woodcock G. M. Elderly applicants to long-term care institutions. I. Their characteristics, health problems and state of mind. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1976 Mar;24(3):117–125. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1976.tb04282.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Nielsen M., Blenkner M., Bloom M., Downs T., Beggs H. Older persons after hospitalization: a controlled study of home aide service. Am J Public Health. 1972 Aug;62(8):1094–1101. doi: 10.2105/ajph.62.8.1094. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Palmore E. Total chance of institutionalization among the aged. Gerontologist. 1976 Dec;16(6):504–507. doi: 10.1093/geront/16.6.504. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Weiler P. Geriatric care abroad. Forum (Wash) 1978;2(5):33–35. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Willemain T. R. Beyond the GAO Cleveland study: client selection for home care services. Home Health Care Serv Q. 1980 Fall;1(3):65–83. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]