Non-use of community health-care services – an exploratory cross-sectional study among family care-givers for older, home-dwelling persons with dementia. Issue 9 (5th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moholt, Jill-Marit; Friborg, Oddgeir; Henriksen, Nils; Hamran, Torunn; Blix, Bodil H.
• Is Part Of: Ageing and society. Volume 41:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 2074
• Page End: 2098
• Publication Date: 2021-09-05
• Subjects: dementia -- health-care services -- family care-givers -- survey -- service use -- service non-use; Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 305.2605
• DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X2000015X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-686X

Abstract

Abstract: Community health-care services for older, home-dwelling persons with dementia tend to be underutilised. Family care-givers provide substantial care, and they often arrange for and co-ordinate health-care services on behalf of persons with dementia. The aim of this study was to examine family care-givers' knowledge of unused services and their self-reported reasons for non-use of such services. We gathered cross-sectional survey data from 430 family care-givers of older persons with dementia in Northern Norway. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of family care-givers' knowledge of unused services. An open-ended question regarding reasons for non-use of services was analysed by thematic text analysis. Characteristics of family care-givers ( e.g. education level) and factors related to the care-giving circumstances ( e.g. negative impact of care-giving) predicted family care-givers' knowledge of unused services. Reasons for non-use of services were multifaceted and complex, and were related to attributes of the person with dementia and/or the family care-giver ( e.g. reluctance to use services) and/or the health-care services ( e.g. low quality). Although services were unused, several family care-givers indicated substantial needs for the services. Strategies aimed at addressing the non-use of services should emphasise individuals' and families' needs and the adaptation of information about available services and their benefits for both care recipients and family care-givers. A relationship-centred care approach is thus recommended in dementia care.