Survival of Community Elders: An 11-Year Cohort Study

• Main Authors: Po-Jen Hou, 侯柏任
• Other Authors: Yung-Chieh Yen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/03994785050633975257

碩士 === 義守大學 === 醫務管理學系碩士班 === 99 === Objective：The purpose of this research is to explore the correlation between elder mortality and socioeconomic status (SES), depressive symptoms, and neighborhood experiences. Resuts will be applied to improve senior’s healthcare quality and set up more useful policy in the community. Methods：The data of this research are from Budai township, Lioujiao township, Minsyong township, and Jhuci township in Chiayi County in southern Taiwan. 11 years ago, 900 inhabitants who were aged 65 to 74 years old were recruited together individual characteristic, SES, depressive symptoms, and neighborhood quality index. Individual characteristic included age, sex, marital status, and health status. SES included employment status, education level, and average monthly family income. Neighborhood quality index includes perceived security, physical environment, and perceived social support. Analytical statistics of this research included chi-square tests of independence, pearson’s correlation, and logistic regression. Survival state of elders was determined by home visit after 11 years. Result：Of 900 senior citizens (male 497, female 403 average 79 years old), the crude death rata of each township was Budai township 29.1%, Minsyong township 29.0%, Lioujiao township 23.1%, and Jhuci township 34.2%. After follow up for11 years, 239 seniors died, 593 seniors survived, and 68 seniors could not be traced. According to chi-square tests of independence report, sex, age, health status, employment status, and perceived security were associated with senior’s survival in community. After controlling for age, sex, marital status, and health status, unemployment (odds ratio 1.587, 95% confidence interval: 1.082-2.327) and perceived security were significantly associated with mortality (odds ratio 0.593, 95% confidence interval: 0.402-0.876). Conclusion：Age, sex, health status, employment status, and perceived security may influence senior’s survival in community immediately. The government can accordingly help senior citizens (65 years old and older) by creating an environment with better quality of neighborhood.