The role of informal care in individualized care plan delivery: a conditional choice for dependent people

作者：Del Pozo Rubio Raul; Escribano Sotos Francisco; Moya Martinez Pablo

来源：Gaceta Sanitaria, 2011, 25: 93-99.

DOI：10.1016/j.gaceta.2011.10.004

• Long-term care
• Health care delivery
• Health services research
• Social support

Objectives: To analyze the relationship between sociodemographic and health variables (including informal care) and the healthcare service delivery assigned in the individualized care plan.
Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of the dependent population in Cuenca (Spain) in February, 2009. Information was obtained on people with level II and III dependency. Four different logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with the care service delivery assigned in the individualized care plan. Independent variables consisted of age, gender, marital status, annual income, place of residence, health conditions, medical treatment, and perception of informal care.
Results: A total of 83.7% of the sample was assigned economic benefits and 15.3% were assigned services. Eighty percent of the sample received informal care in addition to dependency benefits. People who received informal care were 3239 times more likely to be assigned economic benefits than persons not receiving informal care.
Conclusion: For the period analyzed (the first phase of the implementation of the Dependency Act), the variables associated with receiving economic benefits (versus services) were being married, having a high annual income, the place of residence (rural areas versus urban area), and receiving hygiene-dietary treatment and informal care.

• 出版日期2011-12