Postadmission Disparities in Nursing Home Stays of Whites and Minority Elderly

This study examined the type of nursing home stay of white and minority elderly and investigated whether minority differences in nursing home admissions were extended to the type of stay, and if so, what accounted for those differences. African American/white and Latino/ white elderly were compared with respect to stays of (1) longer than three months, (2) shorter than three months and discharged alive (recovery), and (3) shorter than three months and deceased (terminal). African American elderly in nursing homes were significantly less likely to have recovery stays than were white elderly. Multivariate analysis revealed that this difference was due to Medicaid coverage. Overall, elderly with Medicaid coverage were more likely to make long-term stays in nursing homes. The findings highlight the importance of Medicaid coverage for short-term recovery nursing home stays. Reductions of benefits or restrictions in eligibility would negatively and disproportionately affect the nursing home stays of elderly African Americans.