Urban/rural differences in home health patients and services

Using data from the Wisconsin Annual Survey of Home Health Agencies, we describe urban/rural differences for home health care patients. Our findings indicate that urban dwellers are more likely to be home health patients than are rural residents. Urban home health patients are more apt to be nonelderly, male, and have "other conditions" as their primary diagnosis. They are also likely to be more physically dependent and to receive home care longer. Urban home health patients are more typical of long-term care patients, whereas rural patients may be better described as recipients of postacute care, often recovering from diabetes and heart attacks. Possible problems with rural access to home health care are discussed.