Young-old versus old-old and the use of health services. Does the difference make a difference?

The literature indicates the necessity for different levels of health service for various age cohorts among the elderly. The present study concerns the relationship between age cohorts and the use of community-based ancillary health services in comparison with other enabling, predisposing, and health status factors. In a probability sample of Western Canadian older persons, three enabling variables were found to be most closely associated with the use of such health service, i.e., knowledge of health services, education, and monthly family income. Age difference among the elderly, a predisposing variable, were unrelated. Implications for the delivery of health services are discussed.