Health Status and Utilization of Long-term Care Facility in the Urban and Rural Aged

Lee, Hung Sa

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify differences in health status and the utilization of long-term care service between urban and rural aged residents in Korea.
METHODS
Through convenience sampling, 1,405 elders (829 from urban areas and 576 from rural areas) were selected during March 1 to May 31 in 2004. All the subjects agreed to participate and filled out the survey questionnaire after signing the consent form. The instruments utilized in this study were the impairment of physio-sensory function, ADL IADL, cognitive function, and psycho-social function scale. This instrument was developed by modifying the scale developed by Gurland & Wilder (1984). Data was analyzed using the SPSS Win program.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in economic status, duration of living and type of medical insurance between rural and urban elderly(p<.05). Physio-sensory functions (t=4.53, p<.001), ADL (t=3.61, p<.001), IADL (t=2.45, p=.014), cognitive functions (t=-2.63, p=.024) and psycho-social functions (t=3.69, p<.001) were significantly different between the two groups. The utilization of long-term care facility in the urban elderly was significantly higher than that in the rural elderly (chi2=10.14, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
Considering these findings, the need for long-term care should be assessed by residence characteristics. Because of different utilization of long term care facility according to the elderly's needs, long-term care services should be considered the residence characteristics.