Transcript Slide 1

DataBrief:
Characteristics of
Residential Care Consumers
Did you know…
While the prevalence of chronic
conditions is similar, 38% of residential
care consumers need assistance with 3
or more activities of daily living (ADLs),
compared to just 3% of Medicare
beneficiaries living in the community?
DataBrief Series ● October 2012 ● No. 31
Demographics of Residential Care Consumers
•
“Residential care” is an umbrella term for facilities that provide apartment-style housing and support
services for persons who cannot live independently, but generally do not require the skilled level of
care provided in nursing homes. Residential care facilities include assisted living facilities, board and
care homes, and other settings.1
•
Common support services provided in residential care settings include managing medications and
assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing and dressing.
•
In 2010, there were 656,091 seniors age 65 and older living in residential care facilities. 2
•
Older residential care consumers are more likely to be white, female, and older than senior Medicare
beneficiaries living in the community. They are also much more likely to be widowed or otherwise
unmarried.2
•
The prevalence of chronic conditions is similar among older residential care consumers and similar
Medicare beneficiaries living in the community.2
•
However, in terms of functional impairment care needs, older residential care residents are much
more likely to require assistance with ADLs than older Medicare beneficiaries who live in the
community.2
1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Residents Living in Residential Care Facilities: United States, 2010.” 2012.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db91.htm#definitions
2Avalere analysis of the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities and the 2010 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (Access to Care file).
DataBrief (2012) ● No. 31
Page 2
Presence of Functional Impairment and Lack of Spousal
Support May Be Tied to Use of Residential Care
Characteristics of Residential Care Consumers Compared to Medicare
Beneficiaries Living in the Community Age 65 and Over, 2010
3+ Chronic Conditions
Assistance with Any ADL
Assistance with 3+ ADLs
Age 85+
Residential Care
Consumers¹
Female
Community
Residents²
White
Currently Married
Widowed
Low-Income³
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Source: Avalere Health LLC analysis of the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities and the 2010 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.
1 N = 656,091 residential care residents age 65 and older.
2 N = 33,030,236 community residents age 65 and older.
3 Low-income individuals are those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
DataBrief (2012) ● No. 31
Page 3
About the data:
Data on community residents is based on the
Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS),
Access to Care file, 2010. The MCBS includes
information on demographics, health status,
and functional limitations.
Data on residential care is based on the
National Survey of Residential Care Facilities
(NSRCF) 2010, published by the National
Center for Health Statistics. The NSRCF
collects information on demographics, health
status and functional limitations for
residential care residents. To be included in
the NSRCF sample, facilities had to provide at
least 24-hour supervision of residents, two
meals a day, and help with ADLs.
In both surveys, individuals indicated if they
had any of the following chronic conditions:
Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia,
arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, emphysema, heart
failure, depression, myocardial infarction or
heart attack, hypertension, osteoporosis,
stroke, heart disease, or mental illness.
Analyses of both datasets were limited to
respondents age 65 and older.
Analytics powered by Avalere Health LLC
A Clear Policy Connection
Residential care facilities offer assistance with ADLs and other
key supports in a community setting. New data suggest that
older adults may seek residential care when they develop
functional limitations, but lack the spousal support that enables
them to live independently. While the prevalence of chronic
conditions is similar among residential care consumers and their
counterparts living in the community, residential care
consumers today have more functional impairment on average.
Residential care can potentially offer a level of care in between
what can be delivered in the community and in nursing facilities.
States are responsible for licensure and regulation of residential
care facilities and define what rights consumers have, what
services facilities must provide, and how facilities will be held
accountable. States should consider how the residential care
industry can be a part of ongoing plans to increase access to
community-based services and supports. Residential care
facilities are an important part of the continuum of care for
older adults and younger individuals who need long-term
services and supports.
DataBrief (2012) ● No. 31
Page 4