Intergenerational care: an exploration of consumer preferences and willingness to pay for care. (3rd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vecchio, N.; Radford, K.; Fitzgerald, J. A.; Comans, T.; Harris, P.; Harris, N.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 22:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 996
• Page End: 1004
• Publication Date: 2018-08-03
• Subjects: Mild cognitive impairment -- service provision -- caregiving and interventions -- types of services -- social support; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1330873
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: To identify feasible models of intergenerational care programmes, that is, care of children and older people in a shared setting, to determine consumer preferences and willingness to pay. Method: Feasible models were constructed in extensive consultations with a panel of experts using a Delphi technique ( n = 23) and were considered based on their practical implementation within an Australian setting. This informed a survey tool that captured the preferences and willingness to pay for these models by potential consumers, when compared to the status quo. Information collected from the surveys ( n = 816) was analysed using regression analysis to identify fundamental drivers of preferences and the prices consumers were willing to pay for intergenerational care programmes. Results: The shared campus and visiting models were identified as feasible intergenerational care models. Key attributes of these models included respite day care; a common educational pedagogy across generations; screening; monitoring; and evaluation of participant outcomes. Although parents were more likely to take up intergenerational care compared to the status quo, adult carers reported a higher willingness to pay for these services. Educational attainment also influenced the likely uptake of intergenerational care. Conclusions: The results of this study show that there is demand for the shared campus and the visiting campus models among the Australian community. The findings support moves towards consumer-centric models of care, in line with national and international best practice. This consumer-centric approach is encapsulated in the intergenerational care model and enables greater choice of care to match different consumer demands.