Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Self-Rated Health and Sense of Control for Older Adults Receiving Publicly Funded Home- and Community-Based Services

Objectives:This study examines racial/ethnic differences in self-rated health (SRH) and sense of control among older adults receiving publicly funded home- and community-based services (HCBS) and tests the mediating role of functional, emotional, and financial stressors.Methods:Data are from 2015 National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability Survey collected from face-to-face interviews with 1936 older adults aged 65 years or older receiving HCBS in Minnesota. Path analysis based on logistic regression was used.Results:Racial/ethnic minority HCBS users had lower SRH and sense of control than white participants, with Asian participants reporting the lowest scores. Whereas functional impairment was a common explanatory factor for the racial/ethnic differences, negative mood and financial strain were mediators for Asian and Hispanic/Latino participants, respectively.Discussion:Racial/ethnic disparities in well-being exist among older HCBS users, with different mediators at play. Customized services are needed to meet diverse needs of older adults of different racial/ethnic groups.