Family Characteristics and End-of-Life Care in Nursing Homes
Author Information
Author(s): Stephens Caroline, Utz Rebecca, Hollingshaus Mike, Tay Djin, Edelman Linda S, Iacob Eli, Smith Ken, Ornstein Katherine
Primary Institution: University of Utah
Hypothesis
How do family size and characteristics impact end-of-life care utilization for urban vs rural nursing home residents?
Conclusion
The study found that family characteristics significantly influence end-of-life care utilization, with differences observed between urban and rural nursing home residents.
Supporting Evidence
- Rural nursing home decedents were slightly more likely to lack first-degree family members compared to urban decedents.
- Having a spouse was linked to higher hospitalization rates among both urban and rural nursing home decedents.
Takeaway
This study looks at how the size and type of family members affect the care that people in nursing homes receive at the end of their lives, especially comparing those in cities to those in rural areas.
Methodology
The study linked nursing home decedents to their first-degree families and compared characteristics and care utilization between urban and rural residents.
Participant Demographics
The study included nursing home residents from Utah who died between 1998-2016, with a focus on first-degree family characteristics.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website