Exploring factors related to the choice of senior centers among elderly people in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Shu Chi Wu, 吳淑錡
• Other Authors: H. M. Tseng
• Format: Others
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/20978239299361073069

碩士 === 長庚大學 === 商管專業學院碩士學位學程在職專班醫務管理組 === 103 === In 1993, Taiwan met the criteria of aging society set by the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result of the shifting of population pyramid, the resources for elderly care may decrease and the ratio of elderly living in retirement houses has increased over time. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors which influence the decision choosing to live in the senior centers by the middle aged and elderly. In this study, a population-based survey named "Taiwan and Fujian Area Elderly Survey” in 2005 by the Ministry of Interior is used for analysis. Based on the health belief model, constructs were defined to explain the intentions to stay in retirement housing. Logistic regression analysis was employed and the results were summarized as follows： Results: 1. The factors influencing the intention of age group above 65 to reside in the retirement centers included: male, younger age, smaller family size, familiar with the elderly educational programs provided by the government, fair understanding of the service natures of the nursing home and elderly care facilities / institutions have shown higher willingness to elderly care institutions. On the other hand, those for the Age group below 65 included: female, mid-level education, smaller family size, actively participated in social activities, familiar with government’s elderly home services, concerned about the future health and finance have shown higher willingness to elderly care institutions. 2. Constructs used in the Health Believe Model can be employed to explain the intention to reside in the retirement center, such as self-awareness of diseases, self-sufficiency and text messages. 3. With respect to fulfill the wishes of the elderly concerning their living arrangements, the results suggest that relatively low level of depression was shown for those elderly whose actual living arrangement being consistent with the ideal way to live. Recommendations: 1. Echo government "ageing in place" policy: The elderly was more likely to aging in place; the government should proactively develop the community-based care services to facilitate the goal of aging in place. 2. Government may assist the elderly choosing the community-based institutions by developing small, community-based organizations. 3. Long-term care providers need to develop innovative marketing strategies which target to fulfill needs of different elderly age groups.