Frail Older People Ageing in Place in Italy: Use of Health Services and Relationship with General Practitioner

Maria Gabriella Melchiorre, Marco Socci, Sabrina Quattrini, Giovanni Lamura and Barbara D’Amen
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Maria Gabriella Melchiorre: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Marco Socci: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Sabrina Quattrini: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Giovanni Lamura: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Barbara D’Amen: Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA-National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-26

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.

Keywords: ageing in place; frail older people; living alone; self-rated health; health services access; general practitioner; barriers to use; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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