Preferences of the elderly and their primary family caregivers in the arrangement of long-term care.
OBJECTIVE
Long-term care policies and networks in Taiwan are still in the early stages of development and as such it is important to establish comprehensive care models which clearly define the needs of the elderly and their family members. This study examined the preferences of the elderly and their primary family caregivers in long-term care arrangements.


METHODS
Using multi-stage sampling, a total of 1180 subjects (n = 593 elderly people [age > or = 65 years] and n = 587 caregivers) from 7 counties/cities in the north of Taiwan were interviewed by local public health nurses.


RESULTS
Home care was the first choice for both elderly people and their primary caregivers (59.2% of both groups combined). Institutional care was considered the second choice; however, only 9.2% found this choice acceptable. Community-based care was the least preferred mode of long-term care (4.2%). Among the sample subjects, elderly people born in China, those not living in the Taipei metropolitan area, and those not receiving a financial subsidy from the government, indicated that they would be more inclined to accept institutional care. All other elderly people between the ages of 65 and 74 years indicated greater preference for community-based care. Primary caregivers born in China, those with only an elementary school level of education, and those with previous unpleasant experiences in caring for the elderly were more inclined to accept community and institutional care.


CONCLUSIONS
Most elderly people and their primary family caregivers preferred home care. This study also revealed that previous experiences with care for the elderly, educational level, and socioeconomic status were important factors influencing preferences for long-term care arrangements.
School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yun-Chang
YC
Wang
Min-Huey
MH
Chung
Kuan-Lang
KL
Lai
Chih-Chieh
CC
Chou
Senyeong
S
Kao
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013624:Taiwan