Abstract:

Data on hospital & nursing home usage by a representative sample of elderly persons (N = 4,209) in Manitoba 1970-1985, obtained from the Manitoba Longitudinal Study on Aging, were examined to determine distribution of expenditures across the sample & clarify cost-containment strategies. Results showed that, in 1972, 5% of the elderly were recipients of 68% of expenditures. Expenditures in the year of death are 3-8 times higher than in other years. One year's hospital usage is a predictor of the second year, but of little value in subsequent years. Results reinforce the importance of special interventions targeted at high users as a cost-containment strategy. The need for greater attention to long-term care as opposed to hospitalization is stressed.