Intentions of Nursing Home Entry Among Elderly Residents in Jeju, Korea

Abstract

This study examined factors affecting intentions of nursing home entry among elderly residents in Jeju, Korea. Longer lifespans and lower birth rates have resulted in a rapid increase of Korea’s aging population for whom long-term care services are needed, especially for the oldest-old. The oldest-old populations tend to be functionally dependent and, thus, may need skilled services provided by nursing homes. A multidimensional assessment, the Andersen Health Services Behavior Model (Andersen & Newman, 1973), was applied to study the factors that influenced the elderly residents to consider entering a nursing home. The data were collected from Jeju Development Institution in 2008; the sample included 349 individuals over 85 years of age. The findings indicated that awareness of institutional care services and difficulty with complex activities of daily life were positively associated with intentions of moving to a nursing home. Awareness of community care services and expectations of caregiving support from family members negatively affected the intention to move to a nursing home. The study expands the existing literature in three ways. First, the findings are drawn directly from opinions of potential nursing home residents who are among the oldest elderly, those over age 85. Second, the study provides an international perspective with cross-cultural assessment of previous literature. Third, specific recommendations are presented for the Korean context. This study can help care service providers and policy makers conceptualize needs of elderly residents in nursing home care in Jeju province.