Home health care: the elderly's perception

Increasing attention has been given to the identification and description of variables associated with health and social services needed, sought and used by the elderly. Little is known, however, about the home health care needs of the elderly. Moreover, since the inception of the diagnostic related group concept, no one has determined the elderly's perception of home health care. The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the factors which determine the use of home health care services among the Lucas County, Ohio elderly. Particular attention will be given to the role of need, knowledge, and risk factors in the use of home care. The methods of analysis are that of descriptive analysis, population demand projections, and professional needs estimates. The results indicate that a gap exists between the demand for services by the elderly and the evaluation of needs by experts. It is recommended that home health care programs must develop support mechanisms that integrate formal and informal networks into a holistic model of health care.