Patterns of long‐term care service use and multimorbidity in older Japanese adults: A cross‐sectional study of claim data

Abstract

AimThe long‐term care (LTC) insurance system provides a combination of several services in Japan; therefore, it is important to clarify service utilization. Furthermore, it is important to consider multimorbidity among older adults, who frequently present several diseases. This study aimed to clarify LTC service utilization patterns, including those for newly added multifunctional services, and to describe the basic characteristics, including multimorbidity, of these patterns.MethodsWe included 37 419 older adults in care need levels 1–5, living at home, who used LTC services in October 2017. We used LTC and medical claims data that were linked using unique identifiers from the National Health Insurance, Advanced Elderly Medical Insurance, and LTC Insurance of Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. LTC service utilization patterns were identified using cluster analysis based on service fees. Multimorbidity was analyzed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and compared characteristics in these patterns.ResultsSix LTC service utilization patterns were identified: light use (51.0%), intensive use of day care (33.7%), intensive use of short stay (6.3%), intensive use of home help (5.1%), multifunctional LTC in small‐group homes (MLS) use (3.7%), and MLS and home‐visiting nurses (MLSH) use (0.2%). MLSH use had the highest CCI (3.6 ± 2.3). Intensive use of day care and short stay had the lowest CCI (2.6 ± 1.9).ConclusionsThe characteristics of multimorbidity differed by LTC service utilization patterns. Our findings are useful for considering service utilization that takes into account the characteristics of older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–••.