Factors Associated with Preferences for Long-term Care Settings in Old Age: Evidence from a Population-based Survey in Germany

Overview

Journal BMC Health Serv Res

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Health Services

Date 2017 Feb 23

PMID 28222774

Citations 22

Authors

Andre Hajek

Thomas Lehnert

Annemarie Wegener

Steffi G Riedel-Heller

Hans-Helmut Konig

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Long-term care is one of the most pressing health policy issues in Germany. It is expected that the need for long-term care will increase markedly in the next decades due to demographic shifts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with preferences for long-term care settings in old age individuals in Germany.

Methods: Based on expert interviews and a systematic review, a questionnaire was developed to quantify long-term care preferences. Data were drawn from a population-based survey of the German population aged 65 and over in 2015 (n = 1006).

Results: In multiple logistic regressions, preferences for home care were positively associated with providing care for family/friends [OR: 1.6 (1.0-2.5)], lower self-rated health [OR: 1.3 (1.0-1.6)], and no current need of care [OR: 5.5 (1.2-25.7)]. Preferences for care in relatives' homes were positively associated with being male [OR: 2.0 (1.4-2.7)], living with partner or spouse [OR: 1.8 (1.3-2.4)], having children [OR: 1.6 (1.0-2.5)], private health insurance [OR: 1.6 (1.1-2.3)], providing care for family/friends [OR: 1.5 (1.1-2.0)], and higher self-rated health [OR: 1.2 (1.0-1.4)]. Preferences for care in assisted living were positively associated with need of care [OR: 1.9 (1.0-3.5)] and higher education [for example, University, OR: 3.5 (1.9-6.5)]. Preferences for care in nursing home/old age home were positively associated with being born in Germany [OR: 1.8 (1.0-3.1)] and lower self-rated health [OR: 1.2 (1.0-1.4)]. Preferences for care in a foreign country were positively associated with lower age [OR: 1.1 (1.0-1.2)] and being born abroad [OR: 5.5 (2.7-11.2)].

Conclusions: Numerous variables used are sporadically significant, underlining the complex nature of long-term care preferences. A better understanding of factors associated with preferences for care settings might contribute to improving long-term care health services.

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