Unmet Needs and Associated Factors among Community-living Older People with Disability in China: 2005-2014

Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2005 to 2014, this study estimated the prevalence and examined risk factors of under-met needs and completely unmet needs for assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs) among community-living older people with disability in China. As of 2014, over 50% of community-living Chinese elders with disability experienced under-met needs, and nearly 5% had completely unmet needs. From 2005 to 2014, the proportion with completely unmet needs doubled for all disabled elders. Significant risk factors of under-met needs included lower per capita annual household income, more ADL limitations, living alone, and fewer living children, and those of completely unmet needs included less ADL limitations and living alone. More policy attention should be paid to address the gap between long-term care services for older persons with severe disability and supportive services for those who are relatively healthy, toward ultimately establishing a care continuum for the elderly at all stages of their life course. In addition, family care for elders with severe functional impairments should be supplemented by professional long-term care services to best meet their needs.