PREDICTORS OF NURSING-HOME ADMISSION IN A BIRACIAL POPULATION

Racial differences in predictors of institutionalization were studied in a biracial North Carolina cohort (n = 4074). During 3 years of foll ow-up, 8.5% of Whites and 6.4% of African Americans were admitted to n ursing homes. African Americans were one half as likely as Whites to b e institutionalized after adjustment for other risk factors. Among Whi tes, impaired activities of daily living and cognition were the strong est predictors; among African Americans, impaired instrumental activit ies of daily living and prior history of nursing home use were stronge st. Racial differences in nursing home use were not explained by finan cial and social support or physical and cognitive impairment.