Difference by Race in Long-Term Care Plans

Abstract

The underrepresentation of African American elders in institutional care is attributed to their greater desire for family care compared to Whites. Data from in-home interviews with 604 African Americans and Whites aged 65 and older are used to explore whether differences by race in long-term care plans substantiate this claim. Contrary to expectations, African American elders were more likely than Whites to have made long-term care plans and to include institutional as well as family care in their plans. Multivariate findings were that African American elders with more education were more likely than others to have made long-term care plans and educational attainment predicted plans for institutional care. Findings suggest that long-term care decision making is likely idiosyncratic rather than the result of careful consideration of care options in light of impending long-term care needs.