[Sociodemographic typologies of individuals with dependence in Spain and healthy life expectancy].

INTRODUCTION

the main objective of this study was to construct indicators that would allow individuals with dependence to be grouped, based on their socioeconomic situation, with special interest in the elderly.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

data were taken from the Survey of Disabilities, Deficiencies and Health Status (Spanish National Institute of Statistics). The distinct typologies of dependent individuals were analyzed by means of multivariate statistical techniques. Firstly, the factors that best established differences among individuals with dependence were determined; secondly, the sample was segmented to identify disabled individuals with dependence; and finally, healthy life expectancy and dependent life expectancy after the age of 65 years were calculated for the different groups.

RESULTS

the characteristics that best defined individuals with dependence were related to marital status, the care received, economic and work situation, and educational level. With these factors, seven groups for each degree of dependence were defined. The greatest differences in dependent life expectancy were found between pensioners who retired due to age and those who retired due to disability.

CONCLUSIONS

the profiles defined and their differences in dependent life expectancy are useful to plan long-term care resources and to quantify the costs of dependency, as well as to create systems that ensure that sufficient resources are used to decrease the differences among the groups of dependent individuals, thus inducing convergence among them.