SELF-ASSESSED NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY FOR THE NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE SERVICES OF GERONTOLOGICAL CENTERS IN RELATION TO THEIR FUNCTIONAL ABILITY

Abstract

AIM of this paper is to determine whether there is a difference between the expressed need and choice of priorities of the non-institutional care services provided by gerontological centers and the category of their functional independence in the elderly who are on the official waiting list for placement in the decentralized Nursing home Split “Vukovarska”.

METHODS: The research was conducted in November 2021. The participants were aged 65 and over who were on the official waiting list of the Nursing home Split. The research was conducted via telephone survey with the guaranteed anonymity of the participants. The following questionnaires were used: Questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, Questionnaire for self-assessment of elderly persons on the need and choice of offered services of non-institutional care, Barthel index modified according to Shah S., Vanclay F. and Cooper B. (MBI).

RESULTS: The study included 182 participants. There was a statistically significant difference between the participants' stated need and choice of priorities for the offered services of the gerontological center and the category of functional independence of the participants in relation to offered services: help at home (p<0.001); day stay (p<0.001); programs of continuous physical, mental, work, and cultural and entertainment activities (p<0.001); medical, social and psychological services (p<0.002); technical assistance (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the functional independence of the elderly is an important gerontological public health indicator in the planning of non-institutional care for the elderly population.