Domiciliary assistance satisfaction among aged and disabled beneficiaries: a Rasch analysis

Abstract

In the European Union countries we assist to a gradual but stable increase of aged segment in the society composition. Accordingly, local governments have undertaken programs to improve the quality of life of elderly and disabled and policy makers are focusing more on quality of assistance for social services.

In this study we want to measure home assistance satisfaction among aged and disabled people by developing an appropriate questionnaire. We also aim at identifying aspects of the social service requiring immediate action as they might achieve a low quality score even if they are considered of primary importance. In this respect, a questionnaire is administrated to a sample of 117 elderly and disabled people with home assistance services, provided by social services of eight municipalities of Pescara (Italy) district. To comply with the aims of this study, the Rasch model is employed as a statistical, appropriate tool for calibrating the questionnaire itself. Finally, in order to obtain a “strengths and weakness” analysis, the Rasch item evaluation in each dimension is crossed with the importance level.