Long-term care needs and its influencing factors among elderly people living in rural areas of Beijing

Abstract

Objective To understand current status and influencing factors of long-term care for elderly people who lived in rural areas of Beijing. Methods A total of 1022 elderly people(age>60 years old)were enrolled in this cross-sectional study during December,2012 and January, 2013. Demographic information, health status and needs of and intent to long-term care were learned through a questionaire survey. Chi-square test and multiple non-conditional logistic regression analysis were used to identify the factors that were related to the respondents' selection. Results Nearly 6.6%(61/1016)participants showed needs for long-term care. 82.3%(841/1013)respondents preferred household-based long-term care, while 7.53%(77/1013)preferred community-based long-term care. In single factor analysis, education level, occupation, household income, living conditions, number of children living together, medical insurance, pension insurance, chronic diseases and self-report hearing ability, taste and touch were related with long-term care needs(χ2values were 33.03, 136.17, 99.32, 88.83, 58.07, 147.71, 108.11, 9.85, 33.78, 30.45 and 22.22, respectively; all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that occupation, income per capita, spouses living conditions, new corporative medical systems and self-report visual status were correlated with household-based long-term care(odds ratio(OR)were 2.48(95% confidence interval(CI)1.21-5.10), 0.82(0.71-0.95), 1.64(1.08-2.49), 4.78(2.93-7.82)and 0.72(0.59-0.89), respectively). Conclusion Household-based long-term care and health management system may be needed and chosen by the elderly living in rural areas of Beijing. Key words: Aged; Nursing care; Health services needs and demand