Degree of Frailty and Elders' Satisfaction with Personal Care Services in a Community Setting

Abstract

This study assesses the characteristics that influence elders' satisfaction with community-based long-term care services. Satisfaction is modeled as being impacted by personal characteristics, functional status, characteristics of service and characteristics unique to health care service. The results indicate that characteristics of service have the largest impact on the satisfaction with community-based care services for all elders. However, functional status separates elders into two distinct populations. For the less frail elders, the ability to discuss medical information about their particular health condition has the most impact on satisfaction with the health care service. For the more frail elders, the ability of their health care provider to be on time has the greatest impact on satisfaction.