What determines the need for nursing home admission in a universally insured population?

People in lower socio-economic groups are more likely to experience disability and cognitive impairments at earlier ages than those in higher status groups. As a result, the need for nursing home care would be expected to be greater among older people of lower socio-economic status. This study examines the effects of income and education on the probability of nursing home entry in a universally insured elderly population.

Using a prospective observational study design, a range of predictors of nursing home admission was examined over a three-year period in a representative sample of 7220 residents, aged 60 years or older, in a Canadian province. Individual census records and computerized administrative records of health care utilization were linked to form a database for analysis.

An increased risk of institutionalization was associated with older age, male gender, unmarried status and self-reported disability. In addition, lower household income and lower attained education were independently associated with a higher risk of nursing home admission.

These results emphasize the independent role of socio-economic status in accentuating or accelerating the need for institutional care towards the end of life. It is important that these effects are recognized in policies that determine the finance of both nursing home care and formal community-based supportive care.