Older people receiving public long-term care in relation to consumption of medical health care and informal care

The aim of the study was to investigate medical health care and informal care consumption among older people receiving public long-term care, and factors associated with medical health care consumption. 1958 persons aged 65 years and over were included. Data were collected from two registers, including demography, functional ability and received long-term, informal and medical health care. 35% of those at home were admitted to hospital and 76% had contact with outpatient care by physician compared to 26% and 87% respectively of those in special accommodation. Living in special accommodation was associated with more contacts with primary health care and fewer contacts with specialist care other than psychiatric care. Informal care was associated with more contacts with primary health care, specialist care, admissions to and days in hospital. More elderly people being cared for at home may mean more hospital and outpatient care consumption.