Met Care Needs for Living and Life Satisfaction among Disabled Older People in the Community: Secondary Data Analysis Using the Disability Life Dynamic Panel Survey

Background: This study aimed to identify factors influencing life satisfaction with a focus on met or unmet care needs for living in older adults with disabilities. Methods: This study analyzed the data of 2,220 disabled older people, using the fourth wave of the Disability Life Dynamic Panel Survey from the Korea Disables people’s Development Institute. We used descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression for our analyses. Results: Social factors, employment status, and levels of depression influenced the life satisfaction of disabled older adults. Various social factors, including meeting social/leisure activity care need, having a higher number of close people, more frequent meetings with them, and engaging in social activities, significantly influenced better life satisfaction. This regression model explained 26% of the variance in life satisfaction.Conclusions: This study highlights the influence of social factors, particularly the addressed social participation care needs, on the life satisfaction of older people with disabilities. Therefore, enhancing social networks and community-based programs is essential to help individuals sustain their social connections. Additionally, providing care to those who face challenges in participating will enable their ongoing engagement in social activities.