Survey on elderly care service needs in Shanghai community with self-developedmeasurement tool / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To survey on the elderly care needs in the community of Shanghai.Methods From February 2017 to May 2017,a survey on the elderly care needs was conducted using stratified sampling method among 4 312 residents aged ≥60 years in Malu township of Shanghai Jiading District.The survey involved physical health status (illness,self-care ability,vision,risk of falls),mental health status (expression ability in feelings of self-will/information,comprehension in others' willingness/information,depression,anxiety),social health status(family care ability),and willingness for elderly care method (self-desires for old-age support,family-desires for old-age support).The survey was implemented by family doctors.Results The total demand for elderly care services for the elderly in Malu Township was skewed,with a median score of 9.9 points (5.7,15.1).In terms of physical health status,72.7％(3 135) of the elderly suffered from one or more diseases,90.8％(3 915) of the elderly had good self-care ability,83.5％ (3 600) of the elderly had good eyesight,and 98.5％(4 247) of the elderly had only mild risk of falling;in terms of mental health status,81.8％(3 527) of the elderly had normal expression ability of self-willingness/information,and 98.3％(4 239) of the elderly had normal understanding ability of wishes/information expressed by others,87.5％(3 773) of elderly people did not have depression,97.0％(4 183) of the elderly had no anxiety;in terms of social health,58.7％(2 531) of elderly people had normal family care ability;58.7％(2 531) of elderly people were willing to get home-based care,and 53.0％(2 285) of their families also hoped that the elderly could get home-based care.Conclusion The needs of elderly care services is at a lower level among old-aged residents in Malu township,however,there is a relatively low social health status.This study provides an objective quantitative basis for the targeted development of medical care and support services for the elderlv in the communitv in the future.