Iranian Journal of

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Objective(s): The purpose of the present study is to better understand relationships between mental health components (Psychological distress, Psychological wellbeing) and utilization of health services and community aged care services among the Iranian elderly living in Sydney metropolitan area. These findings will, in part, fill the gap in gerontological knowledge and also help to health policy makers, social fairness, increasing fairness to the Iranian elderly migrants, and also increasing their more access to the aged care services. Material & methods: In this cross sectional study 302 old people were selected via a random sample among 1209 Iranian aged people 65 years old and over migrated in Australia. In this study 302 old people 65 years old and over participated who lived in Sydney state’s of Australia for at least 6 months prior to the survey. This study has done in 2005-7. Multiple methods were utilized to collect data including telephone interviews, face to face interviews, or a written survey instrument by mail. The tools used were based on the “annual elderly health survey in 2000” through Australian ministry of health. The mental health instruments applied were psychological well being (Yeild), and psychological distress (K6). The service utilization tools included utilization of aged care services (basic and supportive), and use of health services. T test, ANOVA and liner regression applied to predict of mental health components by SPSS ver.15 soft wear. Results: demonstrated that the majority of respondents reported feeling so sad and nervous most of the time in the last four weeks. The bulk of respondents had moderate level of psychological distress. About one quarter of respondents had lower level of feeling of wellbeing in the last four weeks preceding this study. Use of health services and community basic aged care services are predicted by mental health status of Iranian elderly respondents. However, mental health status could not predict utilization of community supportive aged care services. Conclusion: Generally, use of interpreters and organized community services were predicted with mental health components among the Iranian elderly migrants.

Keywords: Elderly, Community basic and supportive aged care services, Psychological wellbeing, Psychological distress

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