The Outcomes of Care Services for the Elderly with Dependence Provided by the Long-Term Care Fund

Abstract

This evaluation research aimed to examine the outcomes of care for the elderly with dependence under the Long-Term Care Fund for public health. Data were collected from 777 elderly respondents and 660 caregivers through surveys, participatory observations, in-depth interviews, group discussions, and relevant documents. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis and thematic analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, McNemar test, and t-test.

The results showed that: 1) the majority of elderly individuals with long-term dependence under the Long-Term Care Fund for public health were predominantly homebound, with over half suffering from chronic illnesses. Specifically, 34.75% had hypertension, 22.52% had diabetes, and 24.07% had multiple chronic conditions. Meanwhile, in one out of every three families, caregivers experienced health problems, with 41% suffering from chronic illnesses and nearly 21% being elderly themselves; 2) the process of caring for elderly individuals with long-term dependence under the Long-Term Care Fund for public health was primarily driven by managers, caregivers, and care plans; and 3) the provision of care services for elderly individuals with long-term dependence under the Long-Term Care Fund for public health significantly improved the quality of life for caregivers and elderly individuals statistically at the 0.01 level. However, there was no significant difference in the level of dependence among elderly individuals receiving care from the Long-Term Care Fund for public health before and after the study. Therefore, dependence remained a significant issue for elderly individuals requiring the development of quality and standard long-term care services, leading to an enhancement in the quality of life for both elderly individuals and family caregivers in the community.