Social exclusion experienced by older adults: factors for designing healthcare settings in Taipei, Taiwan

Abstract

ABSTRACTResearch has demonstrated that social exclusion can lead to negative implications on an individual’s health status. In response to the need to examine health disparities among the older adult populations, this study explores social exclusion issues faced by older Taiwanese adults as a predictive factor to healthcare. The 80-item Social Inclusion/Exclusion Scale was developed and validated with input from 327 older adults recruited from 40 social service agencies in Taiwan. Findings suggest that to improve the overall health status among older Taiwanese adults, healthcare reforms must aim to increase social inclusion levels through a better understanding of five factors at both the service provider and individual levels: 1) knowledge of service provisions, 2) depression, 3) individual autonomy, 4) types of care home, and 5) gender-sensitive practice.