AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore care satisfaction in relation to place of living, health-related quality of life, functional dependency and health complaints among people 65 years or older, receiving public care and service. The concept public care and service concerns formal care from the municipality, including home help, home nursing care, rehabilitation and a special accommodation.

BACKGROUND: To be able to provide care and service of high quality to older people, knowledge about factors influencing their experience of satisfaction with the care is essential.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional, including comparison and correlation.

METHODS: One-hundred sixty-six people receiving public care and service from the municipality were interviewed regarding demography, functional ability, perceived health complaints and care. Health-related quality of life was measured with SF-12, and self-rated care satisfaction was measured with a questionnaire.

RESULTS: Low self-rated care satisfaction was associated with dependency in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, blindness, faeces incontinence and anxiety, while high self-rated care satisfaction was associated with dependency in Personal Activities of Daily Living. Those at home rated an overall higher care satisfaction and were more satisfied with care continuity and personal relations; they thought that the staff had more time and were more respectful and quiet, than the ratings by those in a special accommodation (equivalent to a nursing home).

CONCLUSIONS: Care satisfaction and health-related quality of life among older people was more associated with functional impairment and health complaints than to whether care and service was received at home or in a special accommodation.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: An approach using intervention focused on functional ability and health complaints is important for development of improved care satisfaction for older people receiving public care and service.