Frail Older People Ageing in Place in Italy: Use of Health Services and Relationship with General Practitioner.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 19(15)2022 07 25.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35897424
ABSTRACT
Functional limitations, chronic diseases and frailty often occur in later life. These aspects become very challenging when older people age alone in place, thus needing support in the activities of daily living, and in this context, it is important they can access and use health services. The present study aimed to explore these issues in Italy. In 2019, 120 qualitative interviews were carried out within the "Inclusive Ageing in Place" (IN-AGE) project, involving frail older people living at home in three Italian regions (Lombardy, Marche, and Calabria). A content analysis and some quantifications of main statements are presented. Results showed that the majority of seniors report poor self-rated health (SRH), suffer from many chronic diseases, and mainly use the General Practitioner (GP) and Medical Specialists (MSs), even though long waiting list in the public sector and high costs in the private one act as barriers to access health services. Complaints regarding GPs mainly refer to the almost exclusive provision of prescriptions and the lack of home visits. Some regional peculiarities highlighted a better overall context in the north than in the south, especially with regards to the public health sector. These results can provide useful insights for policy makers, in order to deliver health services assuring frail, older people the continuity of assistance needed at home.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Médicos Generales
Tipo de estudio:
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Aged
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Environ Res Public Health
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia