Access to Health Services and Its Influence on Daily Health Care Practices among Older Adults

Josephine R. Santos

doi:10.37899/mjdh.v3i1.330

Authors

Josephine R. Santos Department of Community Health, Ateneo de Manila University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37899/mjdh.v3i1.330

Keywords:

Accessibility of Health Services, Community-Based Care, Daily Health Practices, Family Social Support, Healthy Ageing, Older Filipino Adults

Abstract

Population ageing poses significant challenges for health systems, particularly in ensuring effective health care for older adults within daily life contexts. This study aimed to analyze factors related to elderly health care in daily life among community-dwelling older adults by integrating individual, social, and environmental dimensions. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed involving 240 elderly participants aged 60 years and above. Data were collected using structured questionnaires measuring socio-demographic characteristics, health status, daily health care practices, social support, and environmental conditions. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine associations between variables. The results indicated that overall engagement in daily health care practices was moderate, with higher adherence observed in medication use and personal hygiene, and lower engagement in physical activity and routine health monitoring. Multivariate analysis revealed that family social support, self-rated health, accessibility of health services, educational level, and age were significantly associated with daily health care practices. Family social support emerged as the strongest predictor. These findings highlight that elderly health care in daily life is influenced by the interaction of personal capacity, social relationships, and environmental accessibility. Strengthening family-based support, improving health literacy, and enhancing access to community and health services are essential to promote healthy ageing and sustain daily health care practices among older adults.

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