Vulnerable Older People in the Community: Relationship Between the Vulnerable Elders Survey and Health Service Use

OBJECTIVES: The Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES), a recently developed screening tool for at‐risk older people in the community, has been validated in the United States. This study evaluated its profile in older Irish people. It assessed whether those categorized as vulnerable according to the VES were likely to use health services more frequently than others. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross‐sectional interviews. SETTING: Private homes in the community. PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected older people (aged ≥65) (N=2,033; 68% response). MEASUREMENTS: Interviews included the 13‐item VES and questions on health service use. RESULTS: The proportion scoring as vulnerable was identical to the U.S. sample (32.1% vs 32.3%). At the community healthcare level, participants categorized as vulnerable visited their primary care physician more frequently (mean visits 6.7 vs 4.0, P