Does Long-Term Care Literacy Matter in Evaluating Older Care Recipients’ Satisfaction with Care Managers? Empirical Evidence from Japanese Survey Data

Abstract

In this study, we focused on the long-term care literacy of care recipients (older adults currently receiving formal care services) and examined its relationship with satisfaction with their care managers by using a unique individual dataset of Japanese people aged 65 years and older. To address the problem of non-respondent bias, we applied inverse probability weighting and the Heckman probit model for estimation. We found that the probability of older adults evaluating their satisfaction regarding the six aspects of care manager measurement increased with an increasing level of care literacy. However, concerning the level of satisfaction with their care managers, we only observed significant increases in the aspects of “Explanation power” and “Attitude and manners” as the level of care literacy increased. Covariates, such as age, gender, family structure, level of certification for long-term care, reasons for choosing the care manager, utilization of long-term care services, and the manner in which older respondents answered the survey questions, also mattered regarding the evaluation process of satisfaction of older adults. In Japan, utilizing formal care services based on the long-term care insurance system is complicated and sometimes difficult for older adults to understand. In this survey, 35% of older care recipients had inadequate care literacy. Improving the care literacy of older adults is important for better use of formal care services and increased satisfaction.

Empirical Analysis of Preferences of Older Adults for Care Facilities in Japan: Focusing on Household Structure and Economic Status

“…Increasing access to formal care among the target group (i.e., older adults experiencing poverty in single households) is an important policy issue. In Japan, using formal care services based on the long-term care insurance system is complicated and sometimes difficult for older adults to understand [ 39 ]. Nearly 35% of older care recipients have inadequate care literacy (the ability to obtain basic knowledge about the LTCI system and caregiving) [ 40 ].…”

“…Second, in addition to household structure and economic status, other factors can be considered predictors of preferences. As mentioned in the Discussion, the utilization of formal care services is based on the LTCI system, which is complicated and difficult for older adults and family members to understand [ 39 ]. Older adults with inadequate care literacy may not be able to easily express and request the services they want or understand whether the presented care services meet their actual needs.…”