The research subjects were selected from the outpatients (or their company) over 50 years old visiting a regional teaching hospital in Changhua. A questionnaire survey was adopted for data collection. In total, 350 questionnaires were completed. Of them, only 259 were valid,giving a response rate of 74%.
The findings of this study showed that the surveyed middle- and old-aged valued family reunion, regular daily life and regular diet a lot. They preferred living in the suburban or countryside, had less enthusiasm in taking part in political activities and felt less interested in spending money on health magazines. They cared more about the quality of physical facilities, the safety of surroundings and the service quality of caregivers of a nursing institution. Further analysis on the collected data indicated that:
The subjects working for banks or insurance companies longed for healthy and family life more than those working for government agencies. The subjects with disposable income higher than 40,000 NT dollars and those working for banks or insurance companies were more enthusiastic in social and community activities in comparison with those with disposable income lower than 20,000 NT dollars and those working for government agencies. The subjects working for government agencies participated in artistic activities more often than those working for manufacturing companies. And, those serving in healthcare industry cared about the completeness and safety of the facilities in a nursing institution more than those serving in government agencies. The subjects between 61 and 65 years old cared about the completeness and safety of the facilities in a nursing institution and the services and leisure activities provided in a nursing institution more than those over 66 years old. The life style, health quality, family life, enthusiasm and gracefulness of the middle- and old-aged had significant, positive influence on the degree of their concern about the facilities and services of a nursing institution.
