Health Problems, Health Care Needs, Health Service Utilization and Quality of Life among Older Adults Living in Nonthaburi Province
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Abstract
Abstract
Providing equitable access to healthcare services for older adults in the community is of vital importance. This qualitative and descriptive study aimed to investigate the health problems, health care needs, health service utilization, and quality of life among the elderly in Nonthaburi Province. The sample consisted of: (1) 160 older adults living in communities in Nonthaburi Province; (2) 10 primary family caregivers; (3) 4 nurse care managers for older adults; (4) 4 volunteer caregivers; and (5) 3 personnel from local administrative organizations. The research instruments included questionnaires and focus group discussions. The questionnaires encompassed demographic characteristics, clinical data, the Barthel Activities of Daily Living, healthcare utilization, the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, and the WHOQOL-AGE. The content validity was evaluated by five experts and was rated as good. The reliability coefficients for the Barthel ADL Index and the WHOQOL-AGE were 0.82 and 0.98, respectively, while the Tilburg Frailty Indicator yielded a KR-20 value of 0.95. For the focus group discussions, the content validity index was 0.95. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and content analysis.
The results revealed that: (1) Health Problems among the elderly in Nonthaburi were mobility impairment and having more than three chronic diseases; (2) Health needs among the elderly in Nonthaburi were a profound need for chronic disease management and mental health support including consumable supplies and greater empathy from their families; (3) Health service utilization among the elderly in Nonthaburi required access to home-based services by nurses and volunteer caregivers as well as robust support from local administrative organizations; (4) The overall quality of life among the elderly in Nonthaburi was at a moderate level.
Conclusion: Older adults require support from nurses, volunteer caregivers, and local administrative organizations to manage health problems, access to social services, and address environmental needs. Facilitating well-coordinated and up-to-date collaboration among these stakeholders will enhance continuity and flexibility in elderly care, thereby promoting a good quality of life.
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