Knowledge and use of services by the elderly: a critical review of the literature

This article critically reviews the existing literature on the perceptions, knowledge, and use of services by the elderly. Definitive statements concerning these topics are difficult to make because of the contradictory research findings and inadequacies of existing studies. However, the following observations are supported by this review: many elderly do not hold positive attitudes towards services, a bare majority appear aware of services, utilization rates are extremely low, and the correlates of service use are not well understood. In addition, this article identifies a number of weaknesses with the existing research and discusses the following specific recommendations for improvement: conceptualization and operationalization of knowledge and use as continuums, not as discrete phenomena, examination of the processes by which individuals come to know of and use services, and consideration of the roles played by informal networks as facilitators or deterrents to knowledge and use of services.