Study on the Influencing Factors of the Demand of Rural Older Adults in China for Elderly Care Services.

Population aging has become a common concern worldwide. At present, the aging rate of China far exceeds the international standard, and the rural population in China faces a more obvious aging problem. With the increasing number of the older population, the demand for elderly care services is constantly diversified, and the homogenized service supply in rural areas fails to effectively meet the service needs of older adults. This study employs a multi-stage stratified sampling method to survey rural older adults in Shaanxi, Hebei and Jiangsu provinces (n = 803, effective response rate > 95%). The dependent variable is categorized into four levels: no, mild, moderate and severe demands. Independent variables include demographic characteristics (age and gender), predisposing factors (education and marital status), enabling resources (income and family support) and need factors (health status). In the survey, the questionnaire survey method is adopted, and a multinomial logistic regression model is used to analyze the factors influencing the demand degree for elderly care services in rural areas. Regression analysis indicates that pension level exerts a significant influence on the demand intensity for medical care, entertainment and spiritual comfort services. Family support is significantly associated with the demand intensity for medical care and spiritual comfort services. This study reveals that the pension level of elderly adults in rural areas is a key factor affecting the demand degree for elderly care services. The influence of family support on the demand for elderly care services should not be underestimated. Older adults in rural areas have a high demand for medical care services. A gap remains between elderly care service resources and the needs of older adults in rural areas of China. The government should pay attention to allocating and optimizing elderly care service resources to meet the needs of older adults.