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Use of services in old age: Data from three surveys of elderly people

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  • Bowling, Ann
  • Farquhar, Morag
  • Browne, Peter

Abstract

It has been suggested that home sharers, particularly spouses, act as substitutes for formal health and social care provision. This hypothesis was investigated in relation to three independent samples of elderly people, using comparable methodology in London (urban area) and Essex (semi-rural area). The uniqueness of the study lies in the ability to make comparisons between younger and older elderly people, in particular with those aged 85 and over. Utilisation of health and social services was found to be higher in the urban area, and it increased with age. Marital status was not associated with service use nor with contact with general practitioners in any age group or area. The social network variables analysed had little or no predictive ability in relation to recency of contact with general practitioners (GPs). Household size was associated with total use of health and social services, and social services in particular. The multivariate analysis confirmed that household size was a strong predictor of use of home help and meals on wheels services; functional status was the best predictor of use of district nursing services.

Suggested Citation

  • Bowling, Ann & Farquhar, Morag & Browne, Peter, 1991. "Use of services in old age: Data from three surveys of elderly people," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 689-700, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:33:y:1991:i:6:p:689-700
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Atsuko Tanaka & Takehito Takano & Keiko Nakamura & Sachiko Takeuchi, 1996. "Health Levels Influenced by Urban Residential Conditions in a Megacity—Tokyo," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 33(6), pages 879-894, June.
    2. Hoeck, Sarah & François, Guido & Van der Heyden, Johan & Geerts, Joanna & Van Hal, Guido, 2011. "Healthcare utilisation among the Belgian elderly in relation to their socio-economic status," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(2), pages 174-182, February.
    3. Fernandez-Olano, C. & Hidalgo, J.D. Lopez-Torres & Cerda-Diaz, R. & Requena-Gallego, M. & Sanchez-Castano, C. & Urbistondo-Cascales, L. & Otero-Puime, A., 2006. "Factors associated with health care utilization by the elderly in a public health care system," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(2), pages 131-139, January.
    4. Bara, Ana-Claudia & van den Heuvel, W. J. A. & Maarse, J. A. M. & van Dijk, Jitse & de Witte, Luc P., 2003. "Opinions on changes in the Romanian health care system from people's point of view: a descriptive study," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 123-134, November.
    5. Roy Carr-Hill & Gillian Dalley, 1999. "Estimating demand pressures arising from need for social services for older people," Working Papers 036cheop, Centre for Health Economics, University of York.

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