Variation in long-term care service use by aged blacks. Data from the Supplement on Aging

Data from the Supplement on Aging to the 1984 National Health Interview Survey were used to identify patterns of long-term care (LTC) service use among older Blacks. A subset of the SOA, including all 1,217 Blacks aged 55 and over, was the focus of the research. About 37% of all older Blacks in the sample reported difficulty in carrying out at least one activity of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activity of daily living (IADL); 27% reported receiving help with at least one of the ADLs or IADLs. Older Blacks were not significant users of community-based LTC services, with 11.9% reporting using a senior center, the highest percentage of use among a list of 10 community and social services. Five LTC factors were identified: ADL Help, Community Services, Home Health Services, Home Management Services, and Personal Services. Multiple regression analyses identify need factors as most dominant in explaining variation in LTC service use by older Blacks.