Abstract:

Introduction: Home health care is an important service for dependent individuals, particularly elderly; increasing the effectiveness of this system is imperative, considering the increased demographic ageing worldwide. Materials and Method: This study focused on home health care services provided by the Diyarbakır Directorate of Health Services and the Secretary General of the Association of Public Hospitals between 2010 and 2015 . Data from 850 elderly from public hospitals in Diyarbak›r were analyzed. Elderly were divided into three age groups 64-74 years (n=215, 25%), 75-84 years (n=400, 47%) and 85+ years (n=235, 31%). The groups were compared based on sex, most common diseases, hospitals and years. In total 558 females (%65) and 292 males (%38) were included. Results: Comparison of three age groups by frequency of diseases showed that, neurological diseases and diabetes (c2=38.742, p<0.001) were more widespread accross age group 74-85 years. All hospitals were more efficient in 2014 and 2015 (c2=143.65, p<0.001) and most of them were in the city center. No significant sex-based differences were found in the frequency of common diseases, in years and hospitals. On the other hand home health care use by women of age group 85 and over was significantly different from that by men in the same group (c2=18.415, p<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings show that measures taken by The Turkish Ministry of Health have been succesful because home health care use has improved in the last two years and the goverment of Turkey is trying to respond to the increased need for home health care by elderly individuals

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