The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #51204

Katherine H. Leith, University of South Carolina, 103 Steeple Drive, Columbia, SC 29229, (803)419-8807, leith@iopa.sc.edu

Introduction: Research shows that health professionals frequently assume they understand the value systems of their older patients. To design and deliver responsive long-term care (LTC) services, health planners and professionals must appreciate the values important to older adults. We examined three values potentially affecting the LTC decisions of older adults. Method: Secondary data analysis was performed on a cross-sectional telephone survey of persons ages 65+ living in South Carolina. Responses of 454 older adults to 15 value items were subject to factor analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to determine how socio-demographic factors influence the perceived importance of underlying values. Results: Factor analysis revealed three underlying values, “socialization,” “autonomy,” and “aging in place” (Cronbach’s alphas of .74, .74, and .55, respectively). The importance assigned to autonomy and socialization varied little across socio-demographic factors. Both autonomy and socialization were significantly more important to men than to women. Respondents in poor health valued socialization more than respondents in good or very good health. The importance assigned to aging in place was affected by several socio-demographic factors. Non-white respondents, and respondents who had never been married, with a college degree, and with private insurance all assigned greater importance to this value. Implications: Older respondents varied less across socio-demographic factors with regard to autonomy and socialization than was expected. These values appear to be so fundamental that they are intrinsic to ALL older South Carolinians. Health professionals must be sensitive to the importance of these values when assisting older adults with their LTC decisions.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the presentation, participants should be able to recognize fundamental values older adults hold and apply when making long-term care (LTC) decisions. Participants should also be able to understand how these values differ in their perceived importance across various socio-demographic indices.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.