中国老年人临终生活质量研究

Quality of Life before Death of the Elderly in China

应用2008—2014年中国老年健康影响因素跟踪调查(CLHLS)中对跟踪期间死亡老年人亲属的调查结果,关注中国老年人在人生旅程最后阶段的生活质量,分析老年人临终时的健康状况以及家庭和社会支持环境。分析发现,1/3老年人在临终前神志不清醒,至少七成在临终前卧床不起,超过八成的老年人在临终前需要完全依赖他人照料。大多数高龄老年人临终前已经丧偶,不过绝大多数都住在家中。老年人的临终照料主要依靠家人,子女、孙子女及其配偶既是重要的照料者,也多是与老年人共同的居住者。大多数老年人在家中去世,享有医疗保险的城市老年人在家中去世的比例最低。未来的人口与家庭变化将导致家庭照料能力明显下降。缩短老年人完全失能期、改善老年人的认知健康以及高质量的照料都有助于改善老年人临终前的生活质量,而来自社会服务的支持也至关重要。

By information collected from family members of the elderly who died between two waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS) during 2008—2014, the health status and supportive environment from family and society for the deceased elderly have been analyzed. It was found that one-third of the elderly remained unconsciousness at the end of their lives, at least 70% of them was bedridden and more than dependent on someone else. Majority of the elderly was widowed but lived at homes. Family members, especially children and grandchildren were major care givers and co-residents. The majority of elderly people died at home, with the lowest proportion of elderly people in cities with medical insurance dying at home. Future population and family changes can result in a significant decline in family care capacity. Public service and social support for the family members will be very important for improving quality of care and quality of life of the elderly at the end of their lives.