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Aging at Home: Concerns of Community-Dwelling Older People and Their Interest in Seeking Local Resources and Services
Tanya L Packer1,2, Yu-Ting Chen1,3, Bryah Boutilier1
1School of Health Administration, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Canada.
Objectives:
This cross-sectional study examinee health and social concerns among community-dwelling older people, the resources they sought, and factors related to these concerns.
Methods:
A convenience sample of 222 Nova Scotians aged 65 or over completed a semi-structured interview using the ACT® Assess, which assess 53 common health and social issues across six domains. Each item was linked to a database of corresponding local resources.
Findings:
Over 40% of participants reported loneliness, moderate or greater pain, sleep problems, and/or bereavement - all within the Mental Health domain. However, only 32% sought Mental Health resources, compared to over 60% who sought resources for Accommodation and Finances. Participants receiving care showed greater challenges in activities of daily living and mobility.
Discussion:
Findings suggest a high level of concern, even among a relatively healthy sample, and indicate a progression of concerns from psychosocial and home maintenance issues to mobility and functional challenges.
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