Predictors Affecting the Elderly’s Use of Emergency Medical Services

Abstract

Elderly adults are the demographic most likely to utilize emergency medical services (EMS). This study aimed to examine the difference in EMS utilization in subgroups of the elderly population by assessing the predictors for using EMS. Methods: Using both descriptive and logistic regression analyses, this study analyses data from the 2014 Korean Health Panel Survey (n = 3,175). Results: It was observed that certain predisposing factors such as age, sex, and marital status were significant predictors of EMS utilization. However, differences in EMS need do not fully account for the original differences observed between subgroups of elderly Koreans. While health status and disability were important predictors of elderly Koreans using EMS, place of residence did not account for subgroup differences. Nonetheless, place of residence remained particularly important predictors of EMS utilization for the elderly. Conclusion: Emergency needs and resource availability are 2 main determinants for elderly Koreans using EMS. In addition, it was observed that the demographic subgroup profile of unmarried/divorced/ separated/widowed men who were aged 75 and older was least likely to utilize EMS. Improving their resource availability to meet their EMS needs should be a top priority for national policy making to narrow elderly population subgroup differences.

Socio-demographic characteristics and their relation to medical service consumption among elderly in Israel during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 compared to the corresponding period in 2019

“…Moreover, the widowed subscribers consumed on average more services than single and divorced individuals, and significantly more than married ones. In this study, marital status was found to be a substantial and significant predictor for medical services demand, with the likelihood of unmarried people to require medical services being higher, as is supported by the literature [18], [20], [21].…”

“…Loneliness among the elderly is associated with less effective disease management, and deterioration is expected to be slower among non-single elderly people due to disease management and their social environment [19]-[21]. It is possible that the lower average of service requests during the first COVID-19 lockdown, as found in the present study, is due to the need for seniors to temporarily move in with their families, thus requiring less external support services.…”

“…An article by Liao and colleagues found that mutual support between elderly spouses improves lifestyle and reduces complications among chronic patients, especially in the initial prevention phase of disease deterioration [20]. Older people were found to be more likely to require emergency services among married couples than among unmarried partners [21]. Older widowed women tend to ignore their deteriorating health, if they do not suffer from a serious medical condition [22].…”

Social Factors Contributing to Healthcare Service Requirements during the First COVID-19 Lockdown among Older Adults

“…Community support highlights the particular importance for older adults of information sharing about diseases, informational support for risk factors, advice in dealing with complications, and providing information on available medical resources [ 19 ]. Correspondingly, isolation from social environment was associated with less effective disease management and deterioration [ 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Socio-demographic characteristics and their relation to medical service consumption among elderly in Israel during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019

“…An article by Liao and colleagues has found that mutual support between elderly spouses improves lifestyle and reduces complications among chronic patients, especially in the initial prevention phase of disease deterioration [ 26 ]. Older people were found to be more likely to require emergency services among married couples than among unmarried partners [ 27 ]. Older widowed women tend to ignore their deteriorating health, if they do not suffer from a serious medical condition [ 28 ].…”