Continuance of elderly on home-delivered meals programs.

Data from 2,002 elderly receiving home-delivered meals in 23 counties of New York State in 1984-85 were analyzed using a baseline survey and a six-month follow-up survey. Survival analysis estimated that 37.4 per cent of the clients left the program by the follow-up. The initial drop-out rate was estimated to be 14.2 per cent per month; by six months the rate fell to 3.3 per cent. Whites left the program at a rate 2.6 times (95% CI = 1.9, 3.8) that of minorities. Recent discharge from hospital was associated with the highest relative probability of program discontinuance (2.7, 95% CI = 2.2, 3.4), followed by having cancer (2.1, 95% CI = 1.6, 2.8), and having a non-hip fracture (2.0, 95% CI = 1.3, 2.9). Many of those with cancer died, while those recently discharged and those with non-hip fractures were more likely to leave the program because they were again able to cook for themselves.