Long-term care homes (LCHs) are crucial in supporting older adults and promoting their health and quality of life. The supportive features in these homes often vary depending on funding sources, which directly impacts the well-being of residents in late life. This study aims to compare the evaluations from older residents regarding the supportive features in private and public LCHs and to identify the facility-related disparities.
Based on a classification of private and public funding, four LCHs were selected. Satisfaction with 23 supportive features across four domains (barrier-free, safety, aesthetics and leisure) was rated by older residents in selected homes. The variances in supportive features across home type and sex were examined using the Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis test.
There was no significant difference between private and public LCHs for 19 features. However, those in private LCHs were more satisfied with the height of toilets, ease of opening windows and color of walls than residents of public LCHs. Conversely, public LCHs elicited higher satisfaction among older residents than private homes for their courtyards. Sex influenced satisfaction with supportive features in both homes.
The strengths and weaknesses of supportive features in two typical types of LCHs with different founding sources were identified and interpreted in relation to their operational characteristics. The context-specific findings, along with practical recommendations, provide insights into improvements in ageing-friendly environments in LCHs. These insights can inform efforts to promote environmental quality and support the health and well-being of older people.
