Seniors' needs for health-related personal assistance.
OBJECTIVE
This article examines social and economic differences in the prevalence of needs and unmet needs for health-related personal assistance among the household population aged 65 and older and the sources from which they received support.


METHODS
The data are from the 1991 Health and Activity Limitation Survey (HALS).


METHODS
All calculations were based on weighted data. Age-standardized percentages of people with needs and unmet needs for personal assistance were calculated by sex, marital status, living arrangements, education, and household income.


RESULTS
In 1991, 30% of seniors living in private households had some need for health-related personal assistance. Three-quarters of them required help only with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL); the remainder needed help with basic activities of daily living (ADL). The prevalence of need and unmet need was higher among women than men, was inversely related to household income and education, and was relatively high among formerly married seniors and those living alone. Household seniors were more likely to receive personal assistance from informal than formal sources, although this varied depending on their socioeconomic characteristics and the type of assistance they received.
Chen
J
J
Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa.
Wilkins
R
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011157:Population Dynamics; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors