Work

Associations Between Use of Paid Help and Care Experiences Among Medicare–Medicaid Enrolled Older Adults With and Without Dementia

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Community-living older Medicare and Medicaid enrollees ("dual-enrollees") have high care needs and commonly receive paid and unpaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) to help with routine activities. Little is known about whether receiving paid help or individuals' state and neighborhood environmental context ("LTSS environment") relates to dual-enrollees' care experiences. METHODS: We examine a sample of n = 979 community-dwelling dual-enrollees with disabilities from 2011 to 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study, linked to measures of neighborhood disadvantage and state Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) generosity. Logistic regression models stratified by dementia status assess associations between paid help and: (a) adverse consequences due to unmet care needs, and (b) participation restrictions in valued activities, among dual-enrollees with and without dementia, adjusting for individual and LTSS environmental characteristics. RESULTS: Use of paid help was greater for those with (versus without) dementia (46.9% vs. 37.8%). Neighborhood disadvantage was associated with greater use of paid help among dual-enrollees living with dementia. High state Medicaid HCBS generosity was associated with the use of paid help, regardless of dementia status. Dual-enrollees with dementia receiving paid help had higher odds of experiencing adverse consequences due to unmet need (adjusted odds ratio = 2.05; 95% confidence interval 1.16-3.61; p = .02)-no significant associations were observed for participation restrictions. Use of paid help and LTSS environment were not significantly associated with care experiences for dual-enrollees without dementia. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight the complexities of caring for dual-enrollees, particularly those with dementia, and emphasize the need to strengthen the delivery of paid care with considerations for the LTSS environment.

Source: The Journals of Gerontology Series B

DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac072

Authors: Chanee D Fabius, Safiyyah M Okoye, John Mulcahy, Julia G Burgdorf, Jennifer L Wolff

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, University of Minnesota, VNS Health

Language: English

Topic: Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities