4315.0: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 6

Abstract #28461

Function and service use among african-american and white elderly men

Becky Fields, MSN RN and Debra C. Wallace, PhD RN. College of Nursing, Univ. Tennessee, 1200 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996-4180, , bfields@cn.gw.utk.edu

The study purpose was to determine differences in ADL and IADL function and home and community based service use among African-American and white elderly men. Cox’s Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior guided the study. Age, social influences (marital status, living arrangements), environmental resources (payment source, income adequacy), and previous health care experiences (health conditions, co-morbidity)difference also was examined. Existing data from a regional Area Agency on Aging was used and the sample (blacks=251, whites=388) included low income and rural males. The men differed in IADL but not ADL function. Congregate meal, home delivered meal, recreation and physical activity service use was different for the two race groups. Hypertension, heart disease, respiratory conditions and fractures or bone disorders varied between the groups. Health care provider, educator, and policy maker implications and HP2010 targets for these vulnerable men will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the participant s hould be able to: 1. Identify differences in function and service use by black and white elderly men. 2. Discuss the functional issues as they relate to accessing health related services.

Keywords: Elderly, Access and Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA