Unmet Home Care Service Needs of Rural Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease: A Perspective of Informal Caregivers

Hong Li, Gregory A. Kyrouac, Dennis Q. McManus, Robert E. Cranston, Susan Hughes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study assessed unmet service needs of rural older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and identified factors that were related to these needs. Data were collected from 109 informal caregivers of AD patients. Over half of the patients experienced unmet service needs in 1 or more areas of activities of daily functioning. Informal caregiver burden and patient's gender and functional status were significantly related to patients' unmet service needs. Patients' use of formal services was marginally related to their unmet service needs. To better address patients' service needs, a comprehensive needs assessment should be conducted with both patients and their caregivers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)409-425
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Gerontological Social Work
Volume55
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2012

Keywords

  • home and community based services
  • informal caregiving
  • older adults with Alzheimer's Disease
  • rural communities
  • unmet service needs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Nursing (miscellaneous)

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