Changes in aged populations served by home health agencies

This article examines changes in clients served by home health agencies, and how changes are related to recent health care trends and local market structure. Two types of explanatory factors are examined: organizational measures and market factors. A theoretical model of isomorphism is tested, considering the effects of privatization within the context of the growth of chains and multifacility systems. Findings show that (a) system members are more likely than nonmembers to show increases in clients of all ages; (b) for-profits that are not system members are more likely to have increases in total clientele and in clients age 65-74, whereas for-profits' changes in clientele age 85 or over depends on their system membership--increasing among nonmembers, decreasing among members; and (c) agencies in states with home health "certificate of need" (CON) are more likely to have increases in clients age 65-74 and 85 and over. The results for total clientele and those age 65-74 support an isomorphism hypothesis.