Characteristics of the needs of older people in Kazakhstan: a cross-sectional muliticentre study

Objectives: Shrinking caregiver workforces and rising demand among the oldest age groups necessitate urgent healthcare reforms. In Kazakhstan, high fertility sustains population growth, though care pressures are increasing as the share of older adults rises. Family, mostly women, provide care, and societal changes are reshaping traditional caregiving roles. The aim of the study was to assess the health and social needs of older adults in Kazakhstan and uncover their groupings. Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre study (2020–2021) in four Kazakhstani cities surveyed outpatients aged ≥65 years with the EASYCare Standard 2010 questionnaire. Functional independence, risk of care breakdown, and falls were measured, and k-means clustering identified need profiles. Linguistic diversity required Russian-language assessments.

Results: Among 452 participants (mean age 70.7 ± 5.7 years), three clusters emerged. Lower unmet needs correlated with higher education and less caregiver support; higher needs were linked to lower education and frequent informal care. Fewer than 1% used formal services.

Conclusion: Unmet needs among older Kazakhs are linked to lower education and informal care. Expanding formal care and targeted interventions are essential for supporting the ageing population’s varied needs.