Objectives: Older people use more health services due to health problems,
but various reasons impede their ability to use health services. The purpose of
this study is to examine difficulties in accessing and affording specialist services
and to explore the factors that explain these difficulties among elderly
people. Methods: The sample included 1,255 respondents in three agegroups:
65-75, 76-89, and 90+ years who were interviewed face-to-face in
their homes. Results: The findings showed that between 21% and 41% of the
respondents encountered difficulties in visiting specialists. Those aged 90+
encountered more accessibility problems and fewer affordability problems
compared to their younger counterparts, and those aged 76-89 encountered
more availability problems compared to the other two age-groups. Enabling
and need factors were the most significant factors in explaining problems in
accessing and affording specialist services. Discussion: Recommendations
for policy and practice are discussed.Theoretical Approach