Social and health services needs in a sample of elderly people in Catanzaro [Domanda di assistenza socio-sanitaria in un campione di anziani a Catanzaro.]

The aim of this study is to analyze the general health state conditions of older people living in Catanzaro, using a multidimensional assessment instrument to determine their social and health needs. To this purpose, a sample of 544 individuals (344 women and 210 men) older than 65 years of age (mean age = 75.3) was selected from the general population. All subjects were administered the OARS (Older Americans Resources and Services) questionnaire that evaluates five areas: physical health, mental health, social resources, economic resources and Activities of Daily Living (ADL). The percentage of subjects with score 3 or more in each area, and therefore identified as partially or totally dependent, is higher in the area of physical health (17.9%) and ADL (16.6%). About 65% of the sample is not disabled in any of the different areas, while 8% is dependent in 3 or more areas. These subjects are partially or totally dependent elderly people, who stay at their own house in precarious conditions, and are able to remain there only because they are helped by informal caregivers. Probably these people are those for whom any domiciliary help is necessary and more urgent in order to support the existing stability and to avoid institutionalization.