Factors affecting utilization of health services and home- and community-based care programs by older Taiwanese in the United States

Examined the factors that affect how older Taiwanese residing in the US use health services and home- and community-based care (HCBC) programs. 240 Ss (aged 65-85+ yrs) completed the Southern California Taiwanese American Elderly Survey. Results show that different types of structural and cultural variables affected the utilization of health services and HCBC programs. Variables predicting doctor visits tended to be culturally based and related to general health status and chronic, nonacute conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. Having a hospital stay was more related to structural factors such as living alone and having acute conditions. Using HCBC programs was related to structural factors such as living alone, cultural factors such as the preference for same-culture professionals, and functional factors such as functional limitations and arthritis. Findings suggest that Ss used HCBC programs more for social purposes than for health needs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).