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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Factors associated with preferences for long-term care settings in old age: evidence from a population-based survey in Germany

Authors: André Hajek, Thomas Lehnert, Annemarie Wegener, Steffi G. Riedel-Heller, Hans-Helmut König

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Long-term care is one of the most pressing health policy issues in Germany. It is expected that the need for long-term care will increase markedly in the next decades due to demographic shifts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with preferences for long-term care settings in old age individuals in Germany.

Methods

Based on expert interviews and a systematic review, a questionnaire was developed to quantify long-term care preferences. Data were drawn from a population-based survey of the German population aged 65 and over in 2015 (n = 1006).

Results

In multiple logistic regressions, preferences for home care were positively associated with providing care for family/friends [OR: 1.6 (1.0–2.5)], lower self-rated health [OR: 1.3 (1.0–1.6)], and no current need of care [OR: 5.5 (1.2–25.7)]. Preferences for care in relatives’ homes were positively associated with being male [OR: 2.0 (1.4–2.7)], living with partner or spouse [OR: 1.8 (1.3–2.4)], having children [OR: 1.6 (1.0–2.5)], private health insurance [OR: 1.6 (1.1–2.3)], providing care for family/friends [OR: 1.5 (1.1–2.0)], and higher self-rated health [OR: 1.2 (1.0–1.4)]. Preferences for care in assisted living were positively associated with need of care [OR: 1.9 (1.0–3.5)] and higher education [for example, University, OR: 3.5 (1.9–6.5)]. Preferences for care in nursing home/old age home were positively associated with being born in Germany [OR: 1.8 (1.0–3.1)] and lower self-rated health [OR: 1.2 (1.0–1.4)]. Preferences for care in a foreign country were positively associated with lower age [OR: 1.1 (1.0–1.2)] and being born abroad [OR: 5.5 (2.7–11.2)].

Conclusions

Numerous variables used are sporadically significant, underlining the complex nature of long-term care preferences. A better understanding of factors associated with preferences for care settings might contribute to improving long-term care health services.
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Metadata
Title
Factors associated with preferences for long-term care settings in old age: evidence from a population-based survey in Germany
Authors
André Hajek
Thomas Lehnert
Annemarie Wegener
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
Hans-Helmut König
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2101-y

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