Disparities in Nursing Home Care

Racial and ethnic disparities in nursing home care are well documented in literature.  Research shows that Black Americans receive less quality care in nursing homes than White Americans.  Sadly, these stories rarely make it to mainstream media.  But a lack of attention to the matter does not negate the reality that disparities are real and cause heartache in facilities across the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight healthcare disparities that impact Black Americans.  In nursing homes and communities across the U.S., Black Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.  But the reality of disparities in nursing home care go much deeper than the ongoing pandemic. 

Disparities in Nursing Home Care

Racial and ethnic minorities tend to reside in nursing homes with limited financial resources, low staffing levels and a high number of deficiencies.  One study shows that only 9% of White nursing home residents live in “lower-tier” homes.  That is compared to an estimated 40% of Black nursing home residents.  What that means is that,

Nursing home quality is measured based on a series of factors like staffing, infection control,  bedsore rates and general health and safety.  When nursing homes fail to meet federal and state guidelines, they are said to be deficient.  Deficiencies among nursing homes with high minority concentrations are around 9.4%.  Deficiencies among facilities with primarily White residents are around 6.8%.

These statistics show a clear pattern of disparities in nursing homes.  Unfortunately, statistics are only one cog in the wheel of understanding our nation’s lack of health equity.  Society continues to lag behind in addressing and understanding disparities in nursing home care.

At Fight Nursing Home Abuse, we want to be part of a change in how society understands healthcare disparities.  To that end, we have done extensive research into disparities in nursing home care and how they impact society.  Below, you will find a plethora of information and resources about disparities in nursing home care.

It is our hope that you will find this information helpful in opening dialogue about healthcare disparities.

Literature

Black White Disparities in Care in Nursing Homes Download

Black White Disparities in Moves to Assisted Living and Nursing Homes Download

Deficiencies in Care at Nursing Homes and Racial Ethnic Disparities Download

Disparities in Nursing Home Use and quality Download

Distribution of African Americans in Residential Care Assisted Living and Nursing Homes Download

Driven to Tiers Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities in the Quality of Nursing Home Care Download

Racial Disparities in In Hospital Death and Hospice Use Download

Racial Disparities in Medicaid Home and Community Based Service Utilization Download

Racial Disparities in the Use of Physical Restraints in US Nursing Homes Download

Racial Disparities in Receipt of Secondary Stroke Prevention Agents Download

Racial Segregation and Quality of Care Disparity in US Nursing Homes Download

Separate and Unequal Download

Social Sources of Racial Disparities in Health Download

Time for Nursing Homes to Recognize and Address Disparities in Care Download

Trends in Family Ratings of Experience with Care and Racial Disparities Download

Links to Online Resources

• Administration for Community Living (ACL)
• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
• American Health Care Association (AHCA)
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
• National Institutes of Health
• The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
• The Center for Public Integrity
• The Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
• The Center for Medicare Advocacy
• The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety

News Sources

• https://www.chausa.org/publications/health-progress/article/july-august-2019/health-equity—reducing-disparities-in-eldercare
• https://publicintegrity.org/health/nursing-homes-serving-minorities-offering-less-care-than-those-housing-whites/
• https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/columns/editors-columns/long-term-care-equality-index-proceeds-to-next-phase/
• https://racism.org/index.php/en/articles/basic-needs/health/organization/199-long-term-care/1838-african-americans-and-unequal-treatment-in-nursing-home-care?showall=1
• https://www.npr.org/2020/04/21/839522324/npr-analysis-of-covid-19-deaths-at-new-york-nursing-homes
• https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-06-highlights-inequalities-nursing-home-minorities.html
• https://www.futurity.org/long-term-care-facilities-covid-19-2390192-2/
• https://www.startribune.com/covid-19-racial-disparities-in-sharper-focus/571392962/
• https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/05/us/coronavirus-latinos-african-americans-cdc-data.html
• https://patientengagementhit.com/news/healthcare-disparities-emerge-in-end-of-life-hospice-care-access

Written By Meagan Cline

Meagan Cline is a professional legal researcher and writer. She lends her expertise to FNHA and our websites, including Birth Injury Guide and MedMalFirm.com.