Evaluation of the Health Status and Eldercare Needs of Urban Elderly People in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the health status and eldercare needs of elderly people in urban Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. METHODS: Using an online questionnaire, 2057 elderly people aged >60 years in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, were enrolled for analysis following data collection. RESULTS: The major source of financial support was retirement pension, with spouse's income accounting for a relatively low proportion. Moreover, >60% of elderly people had financial support of <3000 yuan per month. The proportion of elderly people suffering from chronic diseases reached 64.95%; only 35.44% had a good understanding of the disease they suffered from, and only 42.34% said they received convenient medical treatment. Furthermore, over 10% of elderly people could not take full care of themselves in various daily activities, and the main daily caregivers were spouses and children, with less care provided by the community or through other means. CONCLUSION: This study found that the financial support, medical care, and daily care needs of elderly people in China have not been well met in terms of the current degree of satisfaction with eldercare services. Findings in this study suggest that the development of eldercare services should be accelerated from the five aspects of concept advocacy, resource integration, institutional preparation, eldercare environment, and social support.