Elderly care in daily living in rural Vietnam: Need and its socioeconomic determinants

Abstract

BackgroundThe proportion of older people is increasing rapidly in Vietnam. The majority of the elderly live in rural areas. Their health status is generally improving but this is less pronounced among the most vulnerable groups. The movement of young people for employment and the impact of other socioeconomic changes leave more elderly on their own and with less family support. This study aims to assess the daily care needs and their socioeconomic determinants among older people in a rural setting.MethodsIn 2007, people aged 60 years and older, living in 2,240 households, were randomly selected from the FilaBavi Demographic Surveillance System (DSS). They were interviewed using structured questionnaires to assess needed support in activities of daily living (ADLs). Individuals were interviewed about the presence of chronic illnesses that had been diagnosed by a physician. Participant socioeconomic characteristics were extracted from the FilaBavi repeat census. The repeat census used a repeat of the same survey methods and questions as the original FilaBavi DSS. Distributions of study participants by socioeconomic group, supports needed, levels of support received, types of caregivers, and the ADL index were described. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify socioeconomic determinants of the ADL index.ResultsThe majority of older people do not need of support for each specific ADL item. Dependence in instrumental or intellectual ADLs was more common than for basic ADLs. People who need total help were less common than those who need some help in most ADLs. Over three-fifths of those who need help receive enough support in all ADL dimensions. Children and grandchildren are the main caregivers. Age group, sex, educational level, marital status, household membership, working status, household size, living arrangement, residential area, household wealth, poverty status, and chronic illnesses were determinants of daily care needs in old age.ConclusionsAlthough majority of older people who needed help received enough support in daily care, the need of care is more demanded in disadvantaged groups. Future community-based, long-term elderly care should focus on instrumental and intellectual ADLs among the general population of older people, and on basic ADLs among those with chronic illnesses. Socioeconomic determinants of care needs should be addressed in future interventions.

Quality of Life Among Elderly People on Vietnam Situation Analysis: A Literature Review

“…In six studies of QOL in rural areas, men archived satisfaction of living is higher than in women, as reported by the study in 2014, median QOL scores in men reaches 59.68 and 55.05 in women . while gender does not affect the assessment of the QOL in the elderly in urban areas 6,23 . All studies in rural and urban unified that education makes indeed impact on QOL of the elderly, median QOL scores are 55.28 in people has under secondary school and 59.4 in other has higher 23 .…”

“…The flow diagram described the process of systematic review provided by Figure 1 Obtaining result of similar analysis in research in Ho Chi Minh City, the elderly group from aged 60-69 expresses higher grade point average than group aged 70-79 and over 80 through their average index in every aspect and overall QOL 6 . Besides, gender is an important factor impact the QOL, due to physiological differences in nature body of feminine and masculine has also led to a change in QOL when age shifts.…”

“…This is higher than the average for Southeast Asia region at present, (36% versus 30% correspondingly) 5 . The percentage of citizens aged 60 and above increased from 6.7% in 1979 and up to 10.2% in 2012 6 . The majority of elderly people in Vietnam distributed in rural areas -72.9% -with limited living condition, as their children migrated from rural to urban areas in purpose to looking for brighter economic opportunities and higher living conditions.…”

“…The proportion reporting moderate problems increases with age, by at least 50% in the mobility and self-care dimensions, and at least 25% in the usual activity and pain/discomfort dimensions 25 . The QOL scores is 4.16, 3.95 and 3.86 in group aged 60-69, 70-79 and over 80, respectively 6 . Dementia, depression, neurasthenia, sensedisability may occurred whenever the age were high.…”

“…The majority of elderly people in Vietnam distributed in rural areas -72.9% -with limited living condition, as their children migrated from rural to urban areas in purpose to looking for brighter economic opportunities and higher living conditions. Therefore, it is critical to understand the requirements for elderly care in Vietnam 6 .…”