Discover the intricate patterns of long-term care and multimorbidity among Japan’s elderly population, shedding light on the crucial interplay between aging, health services, and the challenges ahead.
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Patterns of long-term care service use and multimorbidity in older Japanese adults: A cross-sectional study of claim data.
Sagawa et al., Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024
DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14812
Summary of Findings:
The study investigated patterns of long-term care (LTC) service utilization among older adults in Japan, with a focus on multimorbidity, which is the presence of multiple chronic conditions. A total of 37,419 older adults using LTC services were included in the analysis. The data was sourced from medical and LTC claims, linked through unique identifiers from various insurance systems in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Using cluster analysis, six distinct patterns of LTC service utilization were identified:
- Light use (51.0%)
- Intensive use of day care (33.7%)
- Intensive use of short stay (6.3%)
- Intensive use of home help (5.1%)
- Multifunctional LTC in small-group homes (MLS) use (3.7%)
- MLS and home-visiting nurses (MLSH) use (0.2%)
The study also assessed multimorbidity using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). The MLSH group had the highest average CCI score (3.6 ± 2.3), indicating more complex health needs, while the intensive use of day care and short stay groups had the lowest average CCI scores (2.6 ± 1.9).
Importance:
This research is significant as it provides insights into how LTC services are utilized in relation to the health complexity of older adults. Understanding these patterns can help in tailoring LTC services to better meet the needs of the elderly population, especially those with multiple health issues.
Contribution to Literature:
The study contributes to the current literature by mapping out LTC service utilization patterns and linking them with the degree of multimorbidity. This information can be used to improve LTC service planning and delivery.