Journal of aging and health
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Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of dementia and Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility on unplanned facility admission among older Medicare home health (HH) recipients. Method: This study involves a secondary analysis of data from the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and billing records (i.e., International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision [ICD-10] codes) of 6,153 adults ≥ 65 years receiving HH from a nonprofit HH agency in CY 2017. ⋯ Discussion: Low income and dementia have interactive effects on facility admissions. Among Medicare HH recipients, dual eligible patients with dementia are the most vulnerable group for unplanned facility admission.
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We examined the longitudinal association between the severity of fatigue and falls in community-dwelling older adults. ⋯ Our results suggest that the severity of fatigue is associated with the risk of subsequent falls for community-dwelling older adults even after adjustment for possible confounding factors.
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To evaluate the relationship between back pain severe enough to restrict activity (restricting back pain) and subsequent disability in essential (e) and instrumental (i) activities of daily living (ADL) among community-living older adults. ⋯ Restricting back pain was independently associated with subsequent disability in eADL and iADL. Interventions focused on decreasing restricting back pain in older adults may have the potential to reduce the subsequent burden of disability.
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To examine racial disparities in health services utilization in Hawaii among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 years and above. ⋯ Disparities persist among Asians and Pacific Islanders who encounter the problem of underutilization of various health services compared with Whites.
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The current study examined the mental health of couples living with and without sensory loss; compared the mental health of couples living with hearing, vision, or dual-sensory loss; and investigated the association between spouse support and the mental health of couples living with sensory loss. ⋯ The findings highlight the need to support the mental health of couples living with sensory loss and indicate the importance of considering the intimate relationship in future studies.