<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_sjph-2018-0015_s_006_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c18b1Aa"><h3>Theory</h3><p>The quality of long-term care services has an important effect on the quality of life of their users and their informal carers. By identifying gaps between provision of services and users’ needs we can suggest adjustments of the long-term care services and advance their development.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2018-0015_s_007_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c18b2Aa"><h3>Method</h3><p> The data from the first Slovenian national survey of social homecare (SHC) users and their informal carers was utilised. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate factors that affect assessments of five-dimensional concept of access.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2018-0015_s_008_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c18b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p>On average, affordability was rated the lowest (mean=2.9) and acceptability the highest (4.0), with availability, accessibility and accommodation (mean=3.6) in the middle. Regression analysis explains 15% of variability in affordability, while for other dimensions much less. Caregiver’s needs are the most influential predictor of access, negatively influencing the rating of access (availability B=.127, accommodation B=-.113, acceptability B=-.120, affordability B=-.155). Care recipients’ needs also affect the rating of affordability (B=-.132). Family income negatively influences the rating of availability (B=-.115), accessibility (B=-.076) and affordability (B=-.270). Residents of rural areas rate availability (B=-.070) and affordability (B=-.067) less favourable.</p></sec><sec id="j_sjph-2018-0015_s_009_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c18b4Aa"><h3>Discussion</h3><p>This study showed that affordability is rated the least favourable among components of access. Adjustment in private out-of-pocket co-payment mechanism is suggested.</p></sec></abstract>

TheoryThe quality of long-term care services has an important effect on the quality of life of their users and their informal carers. By identifying gaps between provision of services and users’ needs we can suggest adjustments of the long-term care services and advance their development.Method The data from the first Slovenian national survey of social homecare (SHC) users and their informal carers was utilised. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate factors that affect assessments of five-dimensional concept of access.ResultsOn average, affordability was rated the lowest (mean=2.9) and acceptability the highest (4.0), with availability, accessibility and accommodation (mean=3.6) in the middle. Regression analysis explains 15% of variability in affordability, while for other dimensions much less. Caregiver’s needs are the most influential predictor of access, negatively influencing the rating of access (availability B=.127, accommodation B=-.113, acceptability B=-.120, affordability B=-.155). Care recipients’ needs also affect the rating of affordability (B=-.132). Family income negatively influences the rating of availability (B=-.115), accessibility (B=-.076) and affordability (B=-.270). Residents of rural areas rate availability (B=-.070) and affordability (B=-.067) less favourable.DiscussionThis study showed that affordability is rated the least favourable among components of access. Adjustment in private out-of-pocket co-payment mechanism is suggested.

Evaluation of access to long-term care services for old people ageing in place in Slovenia

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Ovrednotenje dostopa do storitev dolgotrajne oskrbe ljudi, ki se starajo v domačem okolju v Sloveniji

TheoryThe quality of long-term care services has an important effect on the quality of life of their users and their informal carers. By identifying gaps...

Evaluation of access to long-term care services for old people ageing in place in Slovenia

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Jun 21, 2018

Page range: 116 - 123

Received: Aug 12, 2017

Accepted: Mar 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2018-0015

Keywords
access, long-term care, informal carers, aging in place, regression analysis

© 2018 National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Evaluation of access to long-term care services for old people ageing in place in Slovenia

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Jun 21, 2018

Page range: 116 - 123

Received: Aug 12, 2017

Accepted: Mar 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2018-0015

Keywordsaccess, long-term care, informal carers, aging in place, regression analysis

© 2018 National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
access, long-term care, informal carers, aging in place, regression analysis