Open AccessELDERLY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES: A SPATIAL ANALYSIS
Author(s) -
Rosilawati Zainol,
Christopher Pettit
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
planning malaysia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.232
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 1675-6215
pISSN - 0128-0945
DOI - 10.21837/pm.v14i5.192
Subject(s) - census , directory , health care , distribution (mathematics) , gerontology , population ageing , population , elderly people , environmental health , business , geography , medicine , economic growth , computer science , mathematical analysis , mathematics , economics , operating system
The trend of ageing at home which is preferred option by the elderly in Australia is to be supported with good community facilities such as community health care facilities. The proximity of these facilities to their homes plays a significant role in their everyday life activity. Thus, this study examines the spatial relationship between elderly’s population distribution and also the spatial distribution of community health care. Digital boundaries and population census 2011 data were retrieved from the Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS). Data on community health care facilities, on the other hand, were obtained from the National Health Services Directory (NHSD). Both data were analysed using Local Indicator Spatial Association technique (LISA). Results show there is a mismatch between the placement of community health care facilities and where the elderly reside. This mismatch will later create accessibility problems to the elderly if not tackle properly. They may be required to travel quite a distance to receive treatment and medications. Facilities are to be provided with projections of elderly population distribution in mind. This condition would minimize accessibility issue in the future.