Preferences and heterogeneity in care service needs among disabled older adults in an urban setting

This study demonstrates that the level of disability is a key determinant of care preferences among the older adult, characterized by an evolution in demand from "life support" to "professional medical care." We recommend establishing a tiered care system: providing a "home-based + upgraded services" model as the core for moderately disabled individuals, and creating a service network dominated by "institutional + professional medical care" for the severely disabled, complemented by a sliding-scale payment mechanism that prioritizes coverage for professional services under long-term care insurance. This approach aims to achieve precise allocation of care resources. The findings provide crucial evidence for the accurate provision of care services in an aging society, contributing to the policy goal of "aging with security."