Spatial exclusion of home care services: A case study on L Agency in Guosing Township, Nantou County

• Main Authors: Lin FengChen, 林鳳珍
• Other Authors: Huang,Y.Y.
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/3sk4e8

碩士 === 亞洲大學 === 社會工作學系 === 100 === This study aims to explore the spatial exclusion of home care services in remote areas in Guosing Township, Nantou County. Home care service is provided at the homes of service users, making travel distance and time critical concerns for service providers and users. Here, distance covers the combined factors of travel routes, transportation availability, and climate or weather changes. Such factors make home care service provision in remote areas more difficult and costly than in urban regions. The requirements for the effective allocation of resources and provision of least-cost services are typically stipulated in the contracting out policy of local authorities. These regulations reinforce the spatial exclusion of marginalized areas. Using a geographic information system, I identify remote areas where home care services are provided. I then link the geographic data with interview data to identify gaps and opportunities with respect to home care for elderly groups whose needs are inadequately addressed because of remoteness. Results show that inequities exist among and within geographical territories in Guosing Township. Visualized accessibility shows a geographic mismatch between home service availability and user demands, especially for the elderly who live near mountainous areas. To solve the problems associated with spatial exclusion, I recommend the recruitment of a skilled home care workforce dedicated to remote areas, provision of additional financial support for service providers, and establishment of service sites in marginalized areas.