Physical and Cognitive Functioning Among Chronically Ill African-American and White Elderly in Home Care Following Hospital Discharge
作者:
Enola Proctor*,
Nancy Morrow-Howell*,
Letha Chadiha*,
Alan Braverman†,
Osei Darkwa*,
Peter Dore*,
期刊:
Medical Care
(OVID Available online 1997)
卷期:
Volume 35,
issue 8
页码: 782-791
ISSN:0025-7079
年代: 1997
出版商: OVID
关键词: race;elderly;sickness at discharge;cognitive impairment;adequacy of care;home care;functional dependency
数据来源: OVID
摘要:
Objectives.Although race is recognized as an important variable in health status and medical care, the conditions of African-American and white elders have not been studied sufficiently as they enter home care after hospital discharge. This study tests hypotheses that African-American elders enter home care sicker, more dependent, and cognitively impaired.Methods.Hypotheses were tested in two independent studies, both conducted in a Midwestern city. Study 1 compares the physical and cognitive conditions of 208 African-Americans and white elders discharged home after hospitalization for congestive heart failure. Data were obtained from medical records and from patient interviews. Study 2 compares the physical and cognitive conditions of 212 African-Americans and white elders discharged home after hospitalization for hip fracture, cerebral vascular accident, and congestive heart failure. Data were obtained from medical records and interviews with patients' discharge planners.Results.African-Americans were found to go home more sick, more dependent, and more cognitively impaired, although no race difference was found in instability at discharge.Conclusions.These findings raise concerns about African-American elders' access to care in community settings, given their greater needs at discharge.
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