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1.
J Appl Gerontol ; : 7334648241242942, 2024 Apr 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38581163

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the association between Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) generosity and post-discharge outcomes among dual-eligible beneficiaries discharged from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). We linked multiple national datasets for duals discharged from SNFs between 2010 and 2013. Accounting for SNF fixed effects, we estimated the effect of HCBS generosity, measured by its breadth and intensity, on the likelihood of remaining in the community, risks of death, nursing home (NH) admission, and hospitalizations within 30 and 180 days after SNF discharge. We found that higher HCBS generosity was associated with an increased likelihood of remaining in the community. HCBS breadth and intensity were both significantly associated with reduced risks of NH admission, while higher HCBS intensity was related to a reduced risk of acute hospitalizations within 30 days after discharge. Our findings suggest that more generous HCBS programs may facilitate smoother transitions and sustainable community living following SNF discharge.

2.
Glob Health Res Policy ; 9(1): 11, 2024 Mar 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38504369

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The hospitalization rate of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) has been recognized as an essential indicator reflective of the overall performance of healthcare system. At present, ACSCs has been widely used in practice and research to evaluate health service quality and efficiency worldwide. The definition of ACSCs varies across countries due to different challenges posed on healthcare systems. However, China does not have its own list of ACSCs. The study aims to develop a list to meet health system monitoring, reporting and evaluation needs in China. METHODS: To develop the list, we will combine the best methodological evidence available with real-world evidence, adopt a systematic and rigorous process and absorb multidisciplinary expertise. Specific steps include: (1) establishment of working groups; (2) generations of the initial list (review of already published lists, semi-structured interviews, calculations of hospitalization rate); (3) optimization of the list (evidence evaluation, Delphi consensus survey); and (4) approval of a final version of China's ACSCs list. Within each step of the process, we will calculate frequencies and proportions, use descriptive analysis to summarize and draw conclusions, discuss the results, draft a report, and refine the list. DISCUSSION: Once completed, China's list of ACSCs can be used to comprehensively evaluate the current situation and performance of health services, identify flaws and deficiencies embedded in the healthcare system to provide evidence-based implications to inform decision-makings towards the optimization of China's healthcare system. The experiences might be broadly applicable and serve the purpose of being a prime example for nations with similar conditions.


Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions , Hospitalization , Humans , China
3.
Home Health Care Serv Q ; 43(2): 154-172, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38185122

ABSTRACT

Medicaid funding for home- and community-based services (HCBS) has increased substantially in recent decades. Prior research has investigated the effects of this expansion on outcomes for individuals as well as costs to Medicaid, often using state policy as a proxy for access to HCBS or implicitly assuming that more generous policies affect outcomes through access, an assumption that may not hold. In this study, using survey data linked to Medicaid claims, we assess the extent to which common measures of state Medicaid HCBS generosity correspond to increased individual use of HCBS among older adults with potential needs. We find several measures to have strong predictive power, but only with relatively large changes in policy generosity. Our findings imply that increased funding of HCBS is not sufficient to ensure access to services and that researchers should be careful when using state policy generosity as a proxy for access.


Subject(s)
Home Care Services , Medicaid , United States , Humans , Aged , Community Health Services , Policy , Surveys and Questionnaires
4.
J Am Med Dir Assoc ; 24(5): 712-717, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36870366

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine racial differences in admissions to high-quality nursing homes (NHs) among residents with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD), and whether such racial differences can be influenced by dementia-related state Medicaid add-on policies. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study included 786,096 Medicare beneficiaries with ADRD newly admitted from the community to NHs between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017. METHODS: 2010-2017 Minimum Data Set 3.0, Medicare Beneficiary Summary File, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review, and Nursing Home Compare data were linked. For each individual, we constructed a "choice" set of NHs based on the distance between the NH and an individual residential zip code. McFadden's choice models were estimated to examine the relationship between admission into a high-quality (4- or 5-star) NH and individual characteristics, specifically race, and state Medicaid dementia-related add-on policies. RESULTS: Among the identified residents, 89% were White, and 11% were Black. Overall, 50% of White and 35% of Black individuals were admitted to high-quality NHs. Black individuals were more likely to be Medicare-Medicaid dually eligible. Results from McFadden's model suggested that Black individuals were less likely to be admitted to a high-quality NH than White individuals (OR = 0.615, P < .01), and such differences were partially explained by some individual characteristics. Furthermore, we found that the racial difference was reduced in states with dementia-related add-on policies, compared with states without these policies (OR = 1.16, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Black individuals with ADRD were less likely to be admitted to high-quality NHs than White individuals. Such difference was partially related to individuals' health conditions, social-economic status, and state Medicaid add-on policies. Policies to reduce barriers to high-quality NHs among Black individuals are necessary to mitigate health inequity in this vulnerable population.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Medicare , Aged , Humans , United States , Retrospective Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Nursing Homes
5.
Health Aff (Millwood) ; 41(8): 1176-1181, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35914198

ABSTRACT

During the past several decades, state Medicaid programs have expanded the use of home and community-based services, particularly through Section 1915(c) waivers and Section 1115 demonstration waivers. We document trends from the period 1997-2020 in waivers targeting older adults, focusing on services offered. Nearly every service category saw an increase in coverage and spending, especially support for self-direction and community transition.


Subject(s)
Home Care Services , Medicaid , Aged , Community Health Services , Humans , United States
6.
J Appl Gerontol ; 41(10): 2148-2156, 2022 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35653286

ABSTRACT

The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes (i.e., the National Partnership) was launched in March 2012. Using national Medicare, Minimum Data Set, and Nursing Home Compare data in CY 2010-2014, we examined changes in hospital readmissions for older post-acute skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD) following the National Partnership. Using residents without ADRD as reference group to control for concurrent policy and SNF quality changes, we estimated linear probability models to examine the relationship between readmissions and the National Partnership for residents with ADRD, and also stratified the analysis by quality of SNFs. We found a decreasing trend in hospital readmissions over time. The risk of readmissions in residents with ADRD decreased additional 0.3 percentage-points (p < .01) after the launch of the National Partnership. This relationship varied across SNFs with different quality, as it was stronger in high-quality compared to low-quality SNFs.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Skilled Nursing Facilities , Aged , Alzheimer Disease/therapy , Humans , Medicare , Nursing Homes , Patient Discharge , Patient Readmission , Retrospective Studies , United States
7.
Nicotine Tob Res ; 24(6): 909-913, 2022 04 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35084495

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure poses risks to pregnant women and children. Though smoking among pregnant women in many low- and middle-income countries is low, exposure to SHS might be higher. We examined the prevalence and predictors of SHS among pregnant women from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. METHODS: Postpartum women 18+ years old who completed pregnancy in past 5 years were surveyed in health care and community settings. RESULTS: Data for 1,081 women indicated low tobacco use (1.0%-3.7%), frequent exposure to active smokers (29.0%-34.0%), often being close enough to breathe others' smoke (49.4%-66.5%), and most having smoke-free home policies (70.8%-76.2%). Women reporting unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.00) and alcohol consumption (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.34, 2.77) were more likely to be close enough to breathe others' smoke. Women with health problems during pregnancy (aOR: 1.48 95% CI 1.07, 2.06) were more likely to have home smoking policies. Tobacco use was associated with all SHS exposure outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: SHS exposure was high during pregnancy; women with higher risk variables, that is, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unintended pregnancy were more likely to be exposed. Addressing SHS exposure in pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries can improve maternal health outcomes in vulnerable populations. IMPLICATIONS: The study results suggest a cluster of multiple risk factors associated with a high prevalence of exposure to SHS among pregnant women in LIMCs from Latin America and Caribbean Region. Interventions, regulations, and policies need to address specific high-risk factors to change behaviors and improve maternal and child health outcomes especially in vulnerable populations.


Subject(s)
Smoke-Free Policy , Tobacco Smoke Pollution , Adolescent , Child , Costa Rica/epidemiology , Dominican Republic/epidemiology , Female , Honduras/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Tobacco Smoke Pollution/adverse effects
9.
J Appl Gerontol ; 41(3): 638-649, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34615409

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We examined the extent to which home and community-based services (HCBS) spending affected the likelihood of nursing home (NH) placement among black and white HCBS users with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). METHODS: The study population included new HCBS users with ADRD between 2010 and 2013 (N = 1,046,200). RESULTS: We found that a one hundred dollar increase in monthly HCBS spending was associated with a 0.3 percentage points decrease in the NH placement rate among Whites, but a 0.3 percentage points increase in the NH placement rate among Blacks. The overall NH placement rate was 68.2% and 56.7% for Whites and Blacks, respectively. DISCUSSION: A higher HCBS spending was associated with a decreased likelihood of NH placements for Whites but not for Blacks. It is important to understand how states' HCBS expansion efforts influence Blacks and Whites with ADRD so that resources can be tailored to communities with different race-mix.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Home Care Services , Community Health Services , Humans , Medicaid , Nursing Homes , Skilled Nursing Facilities , United States
10.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry ; 30(5): 636-646, 2022 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34801382

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine racial differences in the frequency of schizophrenia diagnosis codes used among nursing home (NH) residents with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), pre and post the implementation of public reporting of antipsychotic use in NHs. METHODS: The 2011-2017 Minimum Data Set and Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File were linked. We identified long-stay NH residents (i.e., those who had quarterly or annual assessments) with ADRD aged 55 years and older (N = 7,734,348). Outcome variable was defined as the diagnosis of schizophrenia documented in the MDS assessments. Main variables of interest included individual race (black versus white), the percent of blacks in a NH and time trend. Multivariate regressions were estimated. RESULTS: The frequency of schizophrenia diagnosis codes among NH residents with ADRD steadily increased over the study period, and blacks experienced a greater increase than their white counterparts. For example, the overall likelihood of having schizophrenia diagnosis increased 1.9 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.019, 0.020, p < 0.01) from 2011 to 2017 among whites, while blacks had an addition 1.3 percentage points increase (95% CI: 0.011, 0.015, p < 0.01). The increase in the likelihood of having schizophrenia diagnosis code was higher in NHs with higher percent of blacks: the increase from 2011 to 2017 was 2.6 percentage point (95% CI: 0.023, 0.029, p < 0.01) higher in NHs with the highest percent of blacks, compared to NHs with lowest percent of blacks. Racial differences in the growth of schizophrenia diagnosis also existed within a NH after accounting for NH factors. CONCLUSION: Following the implementation of public reporting of antipsychotic use in NH, black residents experienced a greater increase in the likelihood of having schizophrenia diagnosis than white NH residents. NHs with a higher proportion of blacks had a greater increase in schizophrenia diagnosis, and blacks experienced an increased likelihood of schizophrenia diagnosis than whites within a NH. Further research is needed to determine a causal relationship between the federal policy mandating public reporting and disparities in schizophrenia diagnostic coding.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Antipsychotic Agents , Schizophrenia , Aged , Humans , Medicare , Nursing Homes , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/epidemiology , United States/epidemiology
12.
J Affect Disord ; 295: 703-710, 2021 12 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34517243

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Given that multimorbidity is strongly associated with disability in activities of daily living (ADL) and the mechanism still remains unclear, this study sought to investigate the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on such association. METHODS: A longitudinal dataset was drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011-2015), including 3951 adults aged 45 years and above. By sex, logistic regression and mediation analysis (the Karlson, Holm, and Breen Method) were employed. RESULTS: The presence of multimorbidity was associated with increased odds of having depressive symptoms and developing ADL disability, and depressive symptoms was significantly associated with ADL disability among middle-aged and older women. Mediation analysis illustrated that depressive symptoms accounted for 6.36% of the effect of multimorbidity on ADL disability in women. LIMITATIONS: Results might not generalize to all middle-aged and older Chinese due to missing data on depressive symptoms and ADL. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity increased the likelihood of ADL disability onset partially through depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older women, suggesting that emphasizing mental wellness of females with multimorbidity are necessary to prevent impairments in physical function.


Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Disabled Persons , Adult , Aged , China/epidemiology , Depression/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Middle Aged , Multimorbidity , Retirement
13.
Health Serv Res ; 56(6): 1168-1178, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34382208

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) generosity and the likelihood of nursing home (NH) admission for dually enrolled older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their level of physical and cognitive impairment at NH admission. DATA SOURCES: National Medicare data, Medicaid Analytic eXtract, and MDS 3.0 for CY2010-2013 were linked. STUDY DESIGN: Eligible Medicare-Medicaid dual beneficiaries with ADRD were identified and followed for up to a year. We constructed two measures of HCBS generosity, breadth and intensity, at the county level for older duals with ADRD. Three binary outcomes were defined as follows: any NH placement during the follow-up year for all individuals in the sample, high (vs. not high) physical impairment, and high (vs. not high) cognitive impairment at the time of NH admission for those who were admitted to an NH. Logistic regressions with state-fixed effects and county random effects were estimated for these outcomes, respectively, accounting for individual- and county-level covariates. DATA EXTRACTION METHODS: The study sample included 365,310 community-dwelling older dual beneficiaries with ADRD who were enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and Medicaid between October 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Considerable variations of breadth and intensity in county-level HCBS were observed. We found that a 10-percentage-point increase in HCBS breadth was associated with a 1.4 (p < 0.01)-percentage-point reduction in the likelihood of NH admission. Among individuals with NH admission, greater HCBS breadth was associated with a higher level of physical impairment, and greater HCBS intensity was associated with a higher level of physical and cognitive impairment at NH admission. CONCLUSIONS: Among community-dwelling duals with ADRD, Medicaid HCBS generosity was associated with a lower likelihood of NH admission and greater functional impairment at NH admission.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/nursing , Community Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Medicaid/statistics & numerical data , Nursing Homes/statistics & numerical data , Patient Admission/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Dual MEDICAID MEDICARE Eligibility , Female , Humans , Male , Medicare/statistics & numerical data , United States
14.
Front Microbiol ; 12: 663116, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34135874

ABSTRACT

Fructus arctii is commonly used in Chinese medicine, and arctiin and arctigenin are its main active ingredients. Arctiin has low bioavailability in the human body and needs to be converted into arctigenin by intestinal microbes before it can be absorbed into the blood. Arctigenin has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumour effects and its development has important value. In this study, we used external microbial fermentation with Aspergillus awamori and Trichoderma reesei to process and convert arctiin from F. arctii powder into arctigenin, hence increasing its bioavailability. We developed a fermentation process by optimising the carbon and nitrogen source/ratio, fermentation time, pH, liquid volume, inoculation volume, and substrate solid-liquid ratio. This allowed for an arctiin conversion rate of 99.84%, and the dissolution rate of the final product was 95.74%, with a loss rate as low as 4.26%. After the fermentation of F. arctii powder, the average yield of arctigenin is 19.51 mg/g. Crude fermented F. arctii extract was purified by silica gel column chromatography, and we observed an arctigenin purity of 99.33%. Our technique effectively converts arctiin and extracts arctigenin from F. arctii and provides a solid basis for further development and industrialisation.

15.
Health Serv Res ; 56(6): 1156-1167, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34145567

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the generosity of Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) and the likelihood of community discharge among Medicare-Medicaid dually enrolled older adults who were newly admitted to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). DATA SOURCES: National datasets, including Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF), Medicare Provider and Analysis Review (MedPAR), Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX), minimum data set (MDS), and publicly available data at the SNF or county level, were linked. STUDY DESIGN: We measured Medicaid HCBS generosity by its breadth and intensity and described their variation at the county level. A set of linear probability models with SNF fixed effects were estimated to characterize the association between HCBS generosity and likelihood of community discharge from SNFs. We further stratified the analyses by the type of index hospitalizations (medical vs surgical events), age group, and the Medicaid cost-sharing policy for SNF services. DATA EXTRACTION METHODS: The final analytical sample included 224 229 community-dwelling dually enrolled older duals who were newly admitted to SNFs after an acute inpatient event between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2013. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We observed substantial cross-sectional and over-time variations in HCBS breadth and intensity. Regression results indicate that on average, a 10 percentage-point increase in HCBS breadth was associated with a 0.7 percentage-point increase (P < 0.01) in the likelihood of community discharge. Such relationship could be modified by individual factors and state policies: significant effects of HCBS breadth were detected among medical patients (0.7 percentage-point, P < 0.05), individuals aged older than 85 (1.5 percentage-point, P < 0.01), and states with and without lesser-of policies (0.5 and 2.3 percentage-point, respectively, P < 0.05). No significant relationship between HCBS intensity and community discharge was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Higher Medicaid HCBS breadth but not intensity was associated with a greater likelihood of community discharge, and such relationship could be modified by individual factors and state policies.


Subject(s)
Community Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Home Care Services , Medicaid/statistics & numerical data , Patient Discharge/statistics & numerical data , Skilled Nursing Facilities , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dual MEDICAID MEDICARE Eligibility , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Medicare/statistics & numerical data , United States
16.
J Am Geriatr Soc ; 69(7): 1877-1886, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33749844

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Explore within and across nursing home (NH) racial disparities in end-of-life (EOL) hospitalizations for residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD), and examine whether severe cognitive impairment influences these relationships. DESIGN: Observational study merging, at the individual level, C2014-2017 national-level Minimum Data Set (MDS), Medicare Beneficiary Summary Files (MBSF), and Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR). Nursing Home Compare (NHC) was also used. SETTING: Long-stay residents who died in a NH or a hospital within 8 days of discharge. PARTICIPANTS: Analytical sample included 665,033 decedent residents with ADRD in 14,595 facilities. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The outcome was hospitalization within 30 days of death. Key independent variables were race, severe cognitive impairment, and NH-level proportion of black residents. Other covariates included socio-demographics, dual eligibility, hospice enrollment, and chronic conditions. Facility-level characteristics were also included (e.g. profit status, staffing hours, etc.). We fit linear probability models with robust standard errors, fixed and random effects. RESULTS: Compared to whites, black decedents had a significantly (p < 0.01) higher risk of EOL hospitalizations (7.88%). Among those with severe cognitive impairment, whites showed a lower risk of hospitalizations (6.04%). But EOL hospitalization risk among blacks with severe cognitive impairment was still significantly elevated (ß = 0.0494; p < 0.01). A comparison of the base model with the fixed and random-effects models showed statistically significant hospitalization risk by decedent's race both within and across facilities. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: We found disparities between black and white residents with ADRD both within and across facilities. The within-facility disparities may be due to residents' preferences and/or NH practices that contribute to differential treatment. The across facility differences point to the overall quality of care disparities in homes with a higher prevalence of black residents. Persistence of such systemic disparities among the most vulnerable individuals is extremely troubling.


Subject(s)
Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Dementia/ethnology , Healthcare Disparities/statistics & numerical data , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Terminal Care/statistics & numerical data , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alzheimer Disease/ethnology , Female , Homes for the Aged/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Medicare , Nursing Homes/statistics & numerical data , United States/epidemiology , White People/statistics & numerical data
17.
PLoS One ; 15(10): e0240194, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33044992

ABSTRACT

Rural-urban inequalities in health status and access to care are a significant issue in China, especially among older adults. However, the rural-urban differences in health outcomes, healthcare use, and expenditures among insured elders following China's comprehensive healthcare reforms in 2009 remain unclear. Using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Surveys data containing a sample of 2,624 urban and 6,297 rural residents aged 65 and older, we performed multivariable regression analyses to determine rural-urban differences in physical and psychological functions, self-reported access to care, and healthcare expenditures, after adjusting for individual socio-demographic characteristics and health conditions. Nonparametric tests were used to evaluate the changes in rural-urban differences between 2011 and 2014. Compared to rural residents, urban residents were more dependent on activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs. Urban residents reported better adequate access to care, higher adjusted total expenditures for inpatient, outpatient, and total care, and higher adjusted out-of-pocket spending for outpatient and total care. However, rural residents had higher adjusted self-payment ratios for total care. Rural-urban differences in health outcomes, adequate access to care, and self-payment ratio significantly narrowed, but rural-urban differences in healthcare expenditures significantly increased from 2011 to 2014. Our findings revealed that although health and healthcare access improved for both rural and urban older adults in China between 2011 and 2014, rural-urban differences showed mixed trends. These findings provide empirical support for China's implementation of integrated rural and urban public health insurance systems, and further suggest that inequalities in healthcare resource distribution and economic development between rural and urban areas should be addressed to further reduce the rural-urban differences.


Subject(s)
Facilities and Services Utilization/statistics & numerical data , Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data , Outcome Assessment, Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Universal Health Care , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Aged , China , Female , Healthcare Disparities/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male
18.
J Am Med Dir Assoc ; 21(9): 1331-1335.e1, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32631800

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Studies show that in nursing homes (NHs), the prevalence of moderate-to-severe obesity has doubled in the last decade and continues to increase. Obese residents are often complex and costly, and this increase in prevalence has come at a time when NHs struggle to decrease hospitalizations, particularly those that are potentially avoidable. This study examined the association between obesity and hospitalizations. DESIGN: We linked 2011-2014 national data using Medicare NH assessments, hospital claims, and the NH Compare. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged ≥65 years, newly admitted to NHs, who became long-term residents between July 1, 2011 and March 26, 2014. The analytical sample included 490,086 residents. METHODS: NH-originating hospitalization was the outcome; a categorical variable defined as no hospitalization, potentially avoidable hospitalization (PAH), and other hospitalization (non-PAH). The main independent variable was body mass index (BMI) defined as normal weight (30 >BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2), mildly obese (35 >BMI ≥30 kg/m2), or moderately-to-severely obese (BMI ≥35 kg/m2). Covariates included individual and NH characteristics. Multinomial models with NH random effects and state dummies were estimated. RESULTS: After adjusting for individual level covariates, the risk of non-PAH for the mildly and moderate/severely obese was not different from normal weight residents. But the risk of PAH remained significantly higher for the moderate/severely obese (relative risk ratio = 1.055; 95% confidence interval 1.018, 1.094). Several NH-level factors also influenced hospitalization risk. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Obese residents are more likely to experience PAH but not non-PAH. Efforts to improve care for these residents may need to broadly consider the ability of NHs to commit additional resources to fully integrate care for this growing segment of the population.


Subject(s)
Medicare , Nursing Homes , Aged , Homes for the Aged , Hospitalization , Humans , Obesity/epidemiology , United States/epidemiology
19.
J Am Med Dir Assoc ; 21(11): 1671-1676.e1, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32565275

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the associations between nursing home (NH) quality and prevalence of newly admitted NH residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), and to assess the extent to which market-level wages for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and state Medicaid behavioral and mental health add-on policy may influence such associations. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The analytical sample included 2777 NHs with either high or low quality, located in urban areas of 41 states from 2011 to 2014. METHODS: The outcome variable was the prevalence of ADRD among newly admitted NH residents. NH quality was defined as dichotomous, based on the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) star rating system. We considered an NH with 5-star rating as having high quality and with 1-star rating as having low quality. Information on county-level CNA wages and state Medicaid behavioral and mental health add-on policies was included. Linear regression models with NH random effects and robust standard errors were estimated. A set of sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: After accounting for NH-level aggregated resident characteristics and market/state-level factors, the prevalence of ADRD among newly admitted residents was 3% lower in high-quality NHs compared with low-quality NHs (P < .01). A 1-dollar increase in CNA hourly wage was associated with a 0.9-percentage point decrease in the prevalence of ADRD among newly admitted residents (P < .01). State Medicaid behavioral and mental health add-on policy was associated with a 2.5-percentage point increase in the prevalence of ADRD in high-quality NHs (P < .05), but not in low-quality NHs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest that high-quality NHs are less likely to admit residents with ADRD. The effect size of this relationship is modest and may be influenced by state Medicaid behavioral and mental health add-on policies. Future studies are needed to better understand reasons leading to these associations so that effective interventions can be developed to incentivize high-quality NHs to more readily serve residents with ADRD.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Alzheimer Disease/epidemiology , Hospitalization , Humans , Nursing Homes , Policy , Retrospective Studies , United States/epidemiology
20.
J Am Med Dir Assoc ; 21(11): 1617-1622.e3, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32527648

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Following the 2012 launch of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes (the National Partnership), the use of antipsychotics has declined. However, little is known about the impact of this effort on quality of care and outcomes for nursing home (NH) residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). The objective of this study is to examine changes in hospitalizations for NH long-stay residents with ADRD after the launch of the National Partnership. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: NH residents who were newly admitted into NHs and became long-stay residents between January 2011 and March 2015 (n = 565,885). METHODS: We estimated linear probability models to explore the relationship between the National Partnership and the likelihood of NH-originated hospitalizations for NH long-stay residents with ADRD, accounting for facility fixed effect, individual covariates, and concurrent changes in hospitalizations among residents without ADRD. We further stratified the analysis by NHs according to their prevalence of antipsychotic use at baseline (ie, prior to the National Partnership). RESULTS: We detected a 0.7-percentage point relative increase (P value <.01) in risk-adjusted probabilities of hospitalizations among residents with ADRD compared with non-ADRD residents in the post-Partnership period. In the stratified analysis, we detected a 1.2-percentage point increase (P = .037) in the probability of hospitalizations among ADRD residents in NHs with high antipsychotic use at baseline but no significant change among those in NHs with low antipsychotic use. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although the National Partnership may have reduced exposure to antipsychotics, our findings suggest this was related to an increase in hospitalization risk for residents with ADRD. Further research is needed to elucidate the reasons behind the observed relationship and to examine the impact of the National Partnership on other health outcomes.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Antipsychotic Agents , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Hospitalization , Humans , Nursing Homes , Policy
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