Factors influencing the use of community health and social services by those aged 65 and over

Interview data collected in a 1990/91 health and life-style survey is used to investigate in those aged 65 years and over the relationship to the use of community health and social services of age, health status and social and economic factors. One thousand eight hundred and forty-one respondents were included in the study. Contacts with general practitioners (GPs), district nurses and home helps and use of “meals on wheels”, day centres for elderly people and lunch clubs were related to age, chronic illnesses, gender, mental well-being, living alone, income and social class. Age and chronic illness were strongly related to the use of all services. A distinctive pattern of service use was found for particular chronic illnesses. Musculoskeletal conditions were most strongly related. Significant relationships between mental well-being, living alone, gender, income and social class remained after the effects of age and chronic illness were removed. Consideration is given to the implications for those who plan community health and social services.