Health Problems and Support from the Health & Welfare Service in the Elderly at Home

Yoo, In Young

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify health problems and support received from the health and welfare service using MDS-HC(Minimun Data Set for Home Care) in the aged living at home. METHOD: Eighty-one elderly persons were selected from those listed in community-welfare service centers in Seoul and Kyunggi Province between December 2002 and January 2003. RESULT: Eleven health problems per elderly person on average were identified, and the frequent care needs were in order: preventive health measure, health promotion, visual function, depression & anxiety, communication disorders, social function, pain, environmental assessment, oral health, cognition and falls. The number of health problems by the level of ADL was 'ADL 1(Independence)' 9.87, 'ADL 2(Partial independence)' 12.78, 'ADL 3(Dependence)' 13.73. Utilization of formal health & welfare services among the elderly was 'meals on wheels' 40.7%, 'home helper' 38.2%, 'visiting of social welfare worker' 21.0%, 'physical therapy' 19.6%, 'day care center' 12.3%, 'volunteer's service' 9.9%, 'home visiting care' 3.7%, 'occupational therapy' 3.7%, and 'speech therapy' 2.5%. CONCLUSION : The results suggest that using the MDS-HC 2.0 is applicable to help decide criteria for both health and welfare service supplied to the elderly.