Predictors of Home Health Care Service Use by Anglo American, Mexican American and South Korean Elders

Abstract

Problem statement: This study was designed to identify predictors of the use of home health care services by elders in different ethnic groups. Approach: A cross-sectional study was conducted with convenient sample of Anglo elders (N = 57), Mexican American elders (N = 56) and elders in South Korea (N = 83). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted. Results: The need for home health care services was the significant predictor of home care service use for Anglo (Adjusted R² = 0.164; R² change = 0.176; F-change (1,56) = 11.93; p = 0.001); service awareness and low education were significant predictors for Mexican American (Adjusted R² = 0.332; R² change = 0.068; F-change (1,48) = 5.22; p = 0.027). Service awareness and elders living alone were significant predictors for South Korean elders (Adjusted R² = 0.112; R² change = 0.050; F-change (1,80) = 4.58; p = 0.035). Conclusion: The results of the study suggested that effective interventions for home health care services should focus on elders' service awareness, low income and education and elders living alone to maximize the use of home health care services.