Assessment of Long-Term Care Service Needs in the Baby Boom Generation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This research was conducted to identify long-term care service needs in the baby boom generation. METHODS: Data were collected from September 3 to October 9, 2012 targeting 196 baby boomers residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do with the measurement of long-term care service needs having five domains. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 program. RESULTS: Demand for long term care service in those who preferred nursing homes was highest as 4.40±0.69 in the safe environment domain. In case of those preferring home care services, demand was highest as 4.37±0.56 in the social interaction domain. People who preferred nursing homes had higher needs in personal health care and improvement of the service quality domains. Those who preferred home care services showed diverse needs according to their characteristics. CONCLUSION: The baby boom generation had high needs in all the domains of long-term care services and such needs were diverse according to their characteristics. However, long-term care services had limitations that they provided standardized and uniformed services only. Therefore, health care services and improved quality services should be provided in a way of meeting the users' needs, and tailored services should be provided in consideration of the users' characteristics.