Racial Disparities in Receipt of Hospice Services Among Nursing Home Residents

This study examined the relationship between race and advance care planning, hospitalization, and death among nursing home residents receiving hospice care. Secondary data analysis using the 2007 Minimum Data Set (MDS) was used to identify documentation of these activities for White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents with linear regression models fitted to each dependent variable. Across different types of advance directives, compared to White nursing home residents, Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents who received hospice services were significantly less likely overall to have documented advance directives. All racial groups were also more likely to experience hospitalization while on hospice, regardless of whether they had a documented do not hospitalize order. As nursing homes become more diverse, recognizing differences in hospice use and end-of-life planning will continue to increase in importance.