The use of home health care has grown tremendously in the 1990's. Data from the National Home and Hospice Care Survey indicate that between 1992 and 1996 the number of current patients increased almost 100% and the number of discharges increased over 150%. While much of this growth has been attributed to the increasing use of Medicare home health care expenditures by the elderly, a sizeable portion of home health care users are under 65 years. The number of "young" patients and discharges increased 124% and 238% in the early 1990's, compared to an increase of 88% current patients and 126% discharges for the elderly users. This paper profiles this "young" group of home health care users. Differences between the shorter-term users (discharges) and the longer-terms users (current patients)are discussed. For example, male discharges tended to receive services for a longer period of time than female discharges - the average length of service for males was 12 weeks, compared to 9 weeks for females. On the average, male discharges tended to be older than females - 39 years compared to 33 years. These patterns were reversed for current patients. At the time of the survey, the average male was 34 years old and had been receiving services for 38 weeks. The average female, on the other hand, was 39 years of age and had been receiving services for 48 weeks. This analysis will be updated when 1998 data become available in mid-2000.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this paper, the participant will be able to: 1. Recognize that a large propertion of users of home care and home health care are not elderly. 2. Discuss differences between shorter-term users and longer-term users of home care and home health care. 3. Describe the characteristics of non-elderly users of home care and home health care, their diagnoses, and the services they receive
Keywords: Health Care Utilization, Home Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment