背景:由於壽命的延長和老化人口的增加,導致長期照顧服務的需求也隨之增加。現今65歲以上的老年人口已超過10%,且在短時間內老年人口將達20%。因此,開辦長期照顧十年計畫服務以因應逐年增加的老年人口。計畫由中央政府設置,由地方政府執行,根據失能情形和經濟狀況標準,提供服務符合資格的個案,故重度失能和低收入戶的個案可獲得較多的補助。 研究目的:本研究欲瞭解接受長期照顧十年計畫個案之長期照顧服務需求和使用情形。 研究設計:本研究樣本為2008年10月至12月至中部長期照顧管理中心申請服務之個案,共為299位。 研究結果:本研究結果發現年輕的失能者也有長期照顧服務的需求。獨居老人、身心障礙、智能障礙有高度長期照顧服務需求。個案對於居家服務有較高的接受度,此外有四成以上的個案有四種以上的慢性疾病,且六成以上的個案有營養風險。 研究結論:本研究結果發現長期照顧服務需求和使用仍有些微之差異。為了使更多失能者獲得合適的服務,我們應該瞭解失能者對長期照顧服務需求和使用之差異情形。建議將所有符合條件之年長者及一般民眾接納入長期照顧十年計畫之服務對象。使長期照顧服務提供給失能且需要服務之個案。
Background: The need for long-term care is increasing because of longer life expectancies and aging populations. At present, people aged over 65 make up 10 percent of the Taiwan's population. Yet the aged population is expected to reach 20 percent in few years time. Therefore, a long-term elderly care program has been launched in Taiwan program last year to meet the rapidly increasing need for long-term care in Taiwan's aging population. It is funded by the central government and operated by local a government which provides subsidies in different amounts to eligible applicants based on the extent of their disability and their families' economic situation. People with a higher level of disability and with lower family income will be granted a higher amount of subsidy. Aim: The aim of this study was to understand the needs of the utilization of long-term care services under the program provided by government. Design: Elderly people who were subsidized through a long-term care management center at middle Taiwan from Oct-Dec 2008 were selected to be the study subjects. A total of 299 people were included. Results: The results of this study showed the younger persons with disabilities also in needs of long-term care services. It was also found that those people who living alone, with the physical and mental handicap, or with cognitive impairment have higher demanding in long-term care services. The homecare service was highly acceptable, however, institutionalization relief service were low. In addition, more than 40% of the subjects were with more than four chronic diseases, and 60 % were in the risk of malnutrition. Conclusion: The result that shows there still a slightly diversity of demanding and utilizing the services in long-term elderly care program. In order to help those disabled people appropriate, we should have a better understanding of actual demands of disable person and the reasons behind the diversity of their services utilization. Initially eligibility for these benefits should be available to all senior citizens and people are strongly suggested. Long-term care coverage should be universally available to all persons who have certain disabilities and needs.