Characteristics of elderly home health care users: data from the 1996 National Home and Hospice Care Survey.

Abstract

Objective: This report presents demographic characteristics, service utilization, and primary admission diagnoses of elderly users of home health care services. Included are home health care services used by both current and discharged clients (called patients). These services are provided by home health care agencies and hospices. The focus of the report is on services used by both current patients and discharges aged 65 years and over.

Methods: The data used for this report are from the National Center for Health Statistics 1996 National Home and Hospice Care Survey's (NHHCS) sample of current patients and discharges. The 1996 NHHCS is the fourth survey of home health care agencies and hospices and their current patients and discharges.

Results: The overall results of the survey indicate that, as in previous years, the elderly current patients and discharges were predominantly women, 75-84 years old, white, non-Hispanic, widowed, and most often lived in a private residence with members of their family. For elderly men and women, the most commonly used home health care service was skilled nursing services and the primary admission diagnosis was diseases of the circulatory system, including heart disease.