Urban-Rural Differences in Need for Social Services Among Disabled Older Adults in China

Haiyan Zhu , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Danan Gu, United Nations

Using data from a national survey from 2005 to 2014, we examined the need for social services among disabled older adults in rural and urban China. Social services were classified into two types: basic care and social connection. The Andersen model and ordered logistic regressions were employed to estimate how predisposing, enabling, and need factors are associated with the need for social services. We found that rural elders reported a greater need for both types of services than urban elders. Economic independence was associated with decreased need for both types of services in urban residents; among rural residents, medical cost paid mainly by self or family members was associated with decreased need for both types of services. Available social services were associated with increased need for services in urban and rural China. The findings suggest that developing social services is urgent in rural China due to declines in family care.

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 Presented in Session 6. Health & Mortality & Aging