| Abstract: | According to the 2010 4th weekly statistics report of Ministry of the Interior, 10.6% of Taiwanese population is 65 years old or older by the end of 2009 with an aging index of 65.1%. With the rapid growth of the senior population, the demand has increased for medical and long-term caring services, and the medical expenses, it has become a heavy burden for the family as well as the health insurance finance.
The purpose of this research is to explore the related elements of using medical and long-term caring services for the disabled elderly in Taiwan region. Information was cited from the research center of Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health of R.O.C. (Taiwan) in 2003 the 5th tracking survey report of physical and psychological conditions of elderly social life. This research used the cross-sectional secondary data analysis, based on the definition of disability, 947 effectively cases had been sifted out for analysis, statistics method using frequency distribution, descriptive statistics percentage, chi-square test, binary logistic regression, to analyze the related causes of disabled elderly using medical and long-term caring services in Taiwan region.
Based on research results, it is discovered for those with severe disability, they regularly or frequently measured blood pressure or took blood sugar examination in the past year, likely suffer with cancer, tumor, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, pulmonary disease or asthma, gastric ulcer or stomach troubles, more likely will use hospitalized medical services; for those with moderate disability, they measured blood pressure from time to time in the past year, also felt a great pressure of his/her health or constantly worried about the members or relatives of the family, likely have heart problems, liver, gallbladder diseases, hip fractures, more likely to use emergency medical services; over the past year, who occasionally or periodically or regularly checked blood pressure, did health checks over the past three years, had used physical aids, more likely suffered high blood pressure, or 1 to 3 kinds of diseases, are more likely to use western ambulatory care services; people with severe disability are more likely to use home care services; those who did not live with children and who made their own living arrangements for domestic nursing homes are more likely to use institutional care services.
The results from this study show that the disability level, chronic disease, stresses due to concern for their own health or other things, not living with children and other factors of disabled elders are the main reasons affecting the usage of medical health and long-term cater. Therefore, based on the above findings, the following suggestions are recommended in order to provide a reference for formulating government policy of the elders: To strengthen the advocacy of chronic disease prevention in order to preclude and delay the occurrence. It is necessary to strengthen mental health counseling for elders in order to mitigate the elders’ concern for their own health and other things. Pay attention to the long-term care institution quality management to avoid overloading of health care services because of neglect of care and abusing elders which leads to malnutrition and falls. Hence, disabled elders can be taken care with the most appropriate holistic way, the population of disabled elders can be reduced and the spending and waste of medical resources also can be reduced. |
