Appraisal of Provision Structures of Nursing Homes for Old Persons—Illustrated by Cross-Sectional Data for East Tyrol

Abstract

(1) Background: In Austria, stationary long-term care facilities for old persons in need of care are increasingly at the centre of the discussion on sustainable long-term care for old persons. So far, there is a lack of research addressing problems of fit from a spatial planning perspective. This case study on East Tyrol aims to appraise provision structures of stationary long-term care for old persons focusing on nursing homes (LTC) with regard to any intra-regional disparities. (2) Methods: Catchments and Bradshaw’s taxonomy of social needs serve as the conceptual framework. Real-world data on residents and applicants up to a certain cut-off date in 2022 for four nursing homes are statistically analysed at different spatial reference levels. The GIS mapping of catchments focuses on the intra-regional level. The findings are discussed transdisciplinarily. (3) Results: Intra-regional disparities with regard to the level of provision are evident. There are: 1) LTC-specific differences related to catchments with regard to LTC residents and applicants and travel efforts for visitors; and 2) valley-related differences with regard to nursing home choice. Normatively determined catchments broadly match the actual catchments. (4) Conclusions: This study could serve as a starting point for discussing methodological limitations of waiting lists as a parameter for unmet demand. Shortcomings of provision in relation to (future) demand as well as the significance of longitudinal studies for assessing the stability of catchments and area-wide coverage become apparent.