The Prevalence and Association Factors of Unmet Medical Needs by Age Group in the Elderly

Hwang, Byung-Deog; Choi, Ryoung

doi:10.12811/kshsm.2015.9.1.081

Cited by 17 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…In Greece, the proportion was higher (26.3%) [ 2 ]. Consistently, an analysis of the KHPS in 2012 revealed a prevalence rate of 16.9% [ 24 ], and the elderly had the highest amount of unmet healthcare needs among all age groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Unmet healthcare needs of elderly people in Korea

et al. 2018

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BackgroundElderly people often have more complicated healthcare needs than younger adults due to additional functional decline, physical illness, and psychosocial needs. Unmet healthcare needs increase illness severity, complications, and mortality. Despite this, research on the unmet healthcare needs of elderly people is limited in Korea. This study analysed the effect of functional deterioration related to aging on unmet healthcare needs based on the Korea Health Panel Study.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from the 2011–2013 survey of 8666 baseline participants aged 65 years and older. Unmet healthcare needs were calculated using a complex weighted sample design. Group differences in categorical variables were analysed using the Rao-Scott Chi-square test. Using logistic regression analysis, the association between unmet healthcare needs and aging factors was analysed.ResultsThe prevalence of unmet healthcare needs in Korean elderly was 17.4%. Among them, the leading reason was economic hardship (9.2%). Adjusting for sex, age, socioeconomic characteristics, and health-related characteristics, the group with depression syndrome was 1.45 times more likely to have unmet healthcare needs than that without depression syndrome (95% CI = 1.13–1.88). The group with visual impairment was 1.48 times more likely to have unmet healthcare needs than that without it (95% CI = 1.22–1.79). The group with hearing impairment was 1.40 times more likely to have unmet healthcare needs than that without it (95% CI = 1.15–1.72). The group with memory impairment was 1.74 times more likely to have unmet healthcare needs than that without it (95% CI = 1.28–2.36).ConclusionsThe unmet medical needs of the elderly are more diverse than those of younger adults. This is because not only socioeconomic and health-related factors but also aging factors that are important to the health of the elderly are included. All factors were linked organically; therefore, integrated care is needed to improve healthcare among the elderly. To resolve these unmet healthcare needs, it is necessary to reorganize the healthcare system in Korea to include preventive and rehabilitative services that address chronic diseases in an aged society and promote life-long health promotion.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Unmet healthcare needs of elderly people in Korea

et al. 2018

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“…Among older adults, demands for physician's visits might be further increased, because unmet medical needs are associated with age. 64) Recently, the metropolitan government of Seoul initiated the 'Chat-Dong'; Home Visit Project by nurses and social workers for entire citizens of aged 65 years old. It is acknowledged as an integrated type of case management (socioeconomic model) which provide high levels of support, although there is no explicit role of physician in the project.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home-Based Primary Care for Homebound Older Adults: Literature Review

Kim

2018

Ann Geriatr Med Res

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“…The basic idea behind health care is based on social justice, and the goal of health care is to provide quality medical services to recipients using methods that are accessible and affordable for everyone 12) . Starting in July 2012, the South Korean government applied the expansion of NHI coverage for resin complete dentures for the elderly, aged 75 years and older, to relieve the chewing difficulties that are faced by the elderly population, reduce their unmet health care needs, and promote improved oral health among the elderly 13) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Education and income levels are variables that represent socioeconomic inequality among health determining factors 5,9,12) . Education level is significant in that it reflects a person's socioeconomic status and also determines the socioeconomic inequality that a person may face during his or her lifetime 13,14) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of National Health Insurance Denture Coverage Policies for the Elderly on the Unmet Dental Needs of the Edentulous Elderly

2018

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As the elderly population increases, they are increasingly affected by oral health problems. Therefore, efforts are being made to improve the oral health of older people, alleviate mental discomfort, and reduce unmet dental needs. This study was conducted to confirm the relationship between the National Health Insurance Elderly Denture Coverage and the unmet dental need for the edentulous elderly, as part of the protection policy. We analyzed the 2011 and 2013 Community Health Survey data of the edentulous elderly, aged 75 years or older, before 2012. In order to more precisely confirm the effects of the denture donation policy on unmet dental care, basic life recipients who were subject to the free elderly prosthetic project were excluded from the analysis. The final analysis included 20,400 subjects. According to our investigation of the factors that affect the unmet dental needs of the elderly, the National Health Insurance Elderly Denture Coverage did not affect unmet dental needs. The statistically significant variables that affected the unmet dental needs of the elderly were education and income levels, which are representative socioeconomic status variables. The lower the level of education, the unhealthier the dental care experience, and income levels showed a similar tendency. The elderly who have a low socioeconomic status are more likely to experience unmet dental needs because they lack the knowledge and socioeconomic ability to pay for dental care. Therefore, the policy for health protection of the entire elderly population should be continuously expanded. In addition, the socioeconomically vulnerable groups may have health problems due to the restriction of medical use, which may lead to quality of life deterioration.

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The Prevalence and Association Factors of Unmet Medical Needs by Age Group in the Elderly

Cited by 17 publications

References 1 publication

Unmet healthcare needs of elderly people in Korea

Unmet healthcare needs of elderly people in Korea

Home-Based Primary Care for Homebound Older Adults: Literature Review

The Effects of National Health Insurance Denture Coverage Policies for the Elderly on the Unmet Dental Needs of the Edentulous Elderly

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