Abstract

The increasing number of elderly population creates a change in population structure. This condition also supports the human life expectancy index. Consequently, the pattern of diseases also changes from infectious diseases to degenerative/chronic diseases. The elderly are particularly susceptible to various diseases due to the decline in their physic, mental and financial condition. In the developing countries, especially in Indonesia, they particularly live and depend upon the help from their family. In Bali, most of the elderly live with their son, daughter, and grandchildren. This particular study aimed at describing the role of the family in the decision-making in relation to the health seeking behavior of the elderly. The cross sectional study was carried out in the region of Tabanan. A systematic random sampling with a sample size of 153 samples was used. The age of respondents ranges from 60-80 years old. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Respondent were asked to fill out the informed consent from prior to complete the questionnaires. In a case where the respondents were illiterate, the family members’ concerned consent will be asked. This study found that the percentage of the education level of low education level is 81.05% for most elderly living with a large family is 96.08%, where 54.90% were not working. The elderly that make a consultation with their families about their health condition is 69.28% and the choice of treatment determined by the family is 81.05%. It is shown that that there was no connection between the determination of the type of treatment to elderly people who are still working or not with PR 1.03 and CI (95%) 0.88-1.20.

Keywords: Role of family; Decision; Health seeking behavior; Elderly and cross sectional study