Formal and informal care utilisation amongst elderly persons with visual impairment

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
• Understanding care utilization patterns is crucial for resource allocation and patient support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors influencing the use of formal and informal care among individuals with AMD.
• To assess the relationship between visual impairment severity and care needs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 284 participants aged 50 years and above was conducted at a hospital eye clinic.
• Data were collected through questionnaires on care utilization, living arrangements, and self-care abilities related to vision.

Main Results:

• Care utilization, both formal and informal, significantly increased with the severity of visual impairment.
• Age, best-corrected visual acuity in the better eye, and living alone were significant predictors of care use.
• A one-line decrease in visual acuity was equivalent to approximately one year of age in its impact on care utilization probability.

Conclusions:

• Care utilization in AMD patients is multifactorial, influenced by age, visual acuity, and living situation.
• Relying solely on visual acuity to determine the need for statutory services may be insufficient.
• These findings have implications for cost-effectiveness analyses of new AMD treatments.