FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND THE USE OF FORMAL HOME CARE IN THE YEAR BEFORE DEATH

A national sample of persons who died in 1986 was analyzed to obtain a valid estimate of the relationship between functional status and the provision of formal home care during the last year of life. Community- based care has become increasingly important as the size of the elderl y population increases and the cost for institutional care rises. When people need help in caring for themselves because of illness, frailty , or disability, community-based care may be more appropriate than acu te or institutional care. The year before death is often a time of dep endence and a high intensity of health service consumption. Although c are at home is provided primarily by families, formal home care is als o a critical component in any continuum of care.