Continuity of Care for Older Adults with Chronic Illness in China: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Chinese nurses lack knowledge of continuity of care, and significant discontinuity exists between health care provided by general hospitals, community hospitals and other institutions for elders. A further model for the development of continuity of care should be established that addresses older patients' demands and current barriers in China.

Care Preferences Among Chinese Older Adults with Daily Care Needs: Individual and Community Factors

“…Literatures have shown two views of the influence of filial piety on care preferences. One view is the cultural traditions associated with filial piety have declined in China, and informal care provided by families has become less frequent (Cheng et al, 2015). On the one hand, trends in shrinking family size, attitudes like ‘value the young and contempt for the old’ and the busy work lives of younger adults, as well as the increase in the older adult population, especially older adults who need care, have increased the demand for daily care.…”

Is China facing the social risks associated with reliance on hospitalization for the care of the elderly with chronic diseases?

“…To use medical health resources in an effective manner, a few developed countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, have begun to improve discharge planning processes for elderly patients with chronic diseases to avoid the further deterioration of health caused by these diseases and to reduce rehospitalization costs . However, hospital nurses in China generally lack knowledge of continuity of care, and fewer nursing services are being developed for elderly patients after their discharge from community health service centres . This gap in care also increases the probability of rehospitalization in the same population.…”

“…[43][44][45] However, hospital nurses in China generally lack knowledge of continuity of care, and fewer nursing services are being developed for elderly patients after their discharge from community health service centres. 30 This gap in care also increases the probability of rehospitalization in the same population. We recommend that the National Health and Family Planning Commission require hospital doctors and nurses to be available in community health service centres to see patients or to visit community clinics at a certain times to address the health care and rehabilitation needs of elderly patients with chronic diseases.…”

“…In many countries, a series of social risks can result when elderly patients with chronic diseases are often hospitalized inappropriately, including major losses in medical health resources, thereby possibly causing elderly patients and their families to fall into debt after paying high medical service charges . In addition, patients' health does not improve, and their ability to take care of themselves on a daily basis also declines .…”

“…24 In many countries, a series of social risks can result when elderly patients with chronic diseases are often hospitalized inappropriately, including major losses in medical health resources, [25][26][27][28] thereby possibly causing elderly patients and their families to fall into debt after paying high medical service charges. 29,30 In addition, patients' health does not improve, and their ability to take care of themselves on a daily basis also declines. [31][32][33] Other studies have indicated that elderly patients with chronic diseases who repeatedly go to the hospital also impose a heavy burden on clinics and increase the stress suffered by nurses.…”