Urban-rural differences in intention to age in place while receiving home care services: Findings from the National Survey of Older Koreans.

PURPOSE

Aging in place has been a crucial goal of long-term care policies, yet little is known about regional differences in older adults' perceptions of aging in place. This study examined the factors associated with the intention to age in place while receiving home care services among older adults in urban and rural areas in South Korea.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans conducted in South Korea. The study population comprised 10,097 adults aged ≥ 65 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed separately for residential areas.

RESULTS

Among urban residents, being married, having higher satisfaction with the distance to healthcare facilities, and owning a house were associated with higher odds of the intention to age in place, whereas higher educational level, higher income, having interaction with friends and neighbors, and having perceived control over death preparation issues were associated with lower odds of the outcome. Among rural residents, only homeownership was associated with higher odds of aging in place, while female gender, higher income, not wanting to burden family and friends, and knowledge of formal care services were associated with lower odds of the outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

By applying the expanded Andersen model, the study showed that enabling and psychosocial factors significantly affect older adults' intention to age in place. The results also revealed urban and rural differences in the factors associated with the intention to age in place. The study suggests that home-and community-based services, considering urban-rural differences, are needed to support successful aging in place.