Quality of Care and Outcomes Among a Diverse Group of Long-Term Care Residents With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

J Aging Health. 2022 Mar;34(2):283-296. doi: 10.1177/08982643211043319. Epub 2021 Oct 11.

Abstract

ObjectivesThis article assessed whether disparities among ADRD Medicare beneficiaries existed in five different long-stay quality measures. Methods: We linked individual-level data and facility-level characteristics. The main quality outcomes included whether residents: 1) were assessed/appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine; 2) received an antipsychotic medication; 3) experienced one/more falls with major injury; 4) were physically restrained; and 5) lost too much weight. Results: In 2016, there were 1,005,781 Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service long-term residents. About 78% were White, 13% Black, 2% Asian/Pacific Islander (Asian/PI), 6% Hispanic, and 0.4% American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN). Whites reported higher use of antipsychotic medications along with Hispanics and AI/AN (28%, 28%, and 27%, respectively). Similarly, Whites and AIs/ANs reported having one/more falls compared to the other groups (9% and 8%, respectively). Discussion: Efforts to understand disparities in access and quality of care among American Indians/Alaska Natives are needed, especially post-pandemic.

Keywords: long-term residents with dementia; quality among American Indians and Alaska Natives; quality of care among people with dementia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease*
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American*
  • Long-Term Care
  • Medicare
  • Quality of Health Care
  • United States