Health Behaviors and Fundamental Cause Theory Factors Influence the Future Need for Long-Term Care

Can long-term care needs be predicted? Previous studies examined the relationship between lower levels of SES and the diminishing effect on a person’s health and functional status. Additionally, other studies examined functional status and the relationship to a person’s well-being, health, and health behaviors influence on one’s life course. Few studies have attempted to predict the amount of long-term care an individual may need based on health behaviors and socioeconomic status factors and their relationship to the number of chronic illnesses diagnosed to a person. This study attempts to assess this relationship, utilizing logistic regression, with a representative sample of older U.S. black and white adults. As life expectancy continues to increase within the United States, the attempts to address our nation’s care of the elderly becomes increasingly important since it is not a matter of whether one will need long-term care but when it becomes necessary