Changes over Time in Racial/Ethnic Differences in Quality of Life for Nursing Home Residents: Patterns within and between Facilities
Tetyana Shippee, Weiwen Ng, Yinfei Duan, Mark Woodhouse, Odichinma Akosionu, Haitao Chu, Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, Joseph E. Gaugler, Beth A Virnig, John R. Bowblis
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate trends in racial/ethnic differences in nursing home (NH) residents’ quality of life (QoL) and assess these patterns within and between facilities. Method: Data include resident-reported QoL surveys ( n = 60,093), the Minimum Data Set, and facility-level characteristics ( n = 376 facilities) for Minnesota. Hierarchical linear models were estimated to identify differences in QoL by resident race/ethnicity and facility racial/ethnic minority composition for 2011–2015. Results: White residents in low-proportion racial/ethnic minority facilities reported higher QoL than both minority and white residents in high-proportion minority facilities. While the year-to-year differences were not statistically significant, the point estimates for white–minority disparity widened over time. Discussion: Racial/ethnic differences in QoL are persistent and may be widening over time. The QoL disparity reported by minority residents and all residents in high-proportion minority facilities underscores the importance of examining NH structural characteristics and practices to ultimately achieve the goal of optimal, person-centered care in NHs.