Predictors of use of paid help among older people living in the community

We examined the impact of level of impairment, access to informal services, and household income on the use of paid help by impaired older people using data from the Supplement on Aging to the 1984 National Health Interview Survey. Consistent with previous research, results indicate that impaired elders turn to paid help when informal resources are unavailable. Paid help is more prevalent among elderly people with adequate economic resources and with access to entitlements. Income exerts the greatest impact on situations in which older people have the most discretion regarding acceptance of and sources of help.