FACTORS AFFECTING ACCESS TO LONG-TERM CARE AMONG DEPENDENT OLDER PERSONS IN SAMUT SAKHON

Abstract

Long-term care (LTC) services under the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) were introduced in Samut Sakhon Province since 2016. This study aims to analyze the overall situation of older persons and the utilization of LTC services among dependent older persons in Samut Sakhon Province and to examine the factors affecting the access to LTC services among dependent older persons.This study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, consisting of: 1) A secondary data of 726 dependent older persons who are UCS beneficiaries in Samut Sakhon Province and 2) semi-structured interviews with 8 key informants involved in LTC service system in Samut Sakhon Province. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with access to LTC services, based on the Anderson Behavioral Model. Content analysis was conducted to explain the results from quantitative findings. The results showed that age, average annual income of the family, the area of LTC provisions, the level of Activity of Daily Living (ADL), and having chronic diseases were significantly associated with access to LTC services among dependent older persons. The findings highlight the importance of the role of local administrative organizations in enabling access to LTC services among dependent older persons and the needs to establish LTC preventive programs for older persons, especially those with chronic diseases.