Open AccessChanges over Time in Racial/Ethnic Differences in Quality of Life for Nursing Home Residents: Patterns within and between Facilities
Author(s) -
Tetyana Shippee,
Weiwen Ng,
Yinfei Duan,
Mark Woodhouse,
Odichinma Akosionu,
Haitao Chu,
Jasjit S. Ahluwalia,
Joseph E. Gaugler,
Beth A Virnig,
John R. Bowblis
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of aging and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1552-6887
pISSN - 0898-2643
DOI - 10.1177/0898264320939006
Subject(s) - ethnic group , nursing homes , gerontology , nursing , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , psychology , sociology , anthropology
Objectives: To investigate trends in racial/ethnic differences in nursing home (NH) residents' quality of life (QoL) and assess these patterns within and between facilities. Method: Data include resident-reported QoL surveys ( n = 60,093), the Minimum Data Set, and facility-level characteristics ( n = 376 facilities) for Minnesota. Hierarchical linear models were estimated to identify differences in QoL by resident race/ethnicity and facility racial/ethnic minority composition for 2011-2015. Results: White residents in low-proportion racial/ethnic minority facilities reported higher QoL than both minority and white residents in high-proportion minority facilities. While the year-to-year differences were not statistically significant, the point estimates for white-minority disparity widened over time. Discussion: Racial/ethnic differences in QoL are persistent and may be widening over time. The QoL disparity reported by minority residents and all residents in high-proportion minority facilities underscores the importance of examining NH structural characteristics and practices to ultimately achieve the goal of optimal, person-centered care in NHs.