UNMET SERVICE NEEDS AND HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE USE IN RURAL AND URBAN DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
2024

Unmet Service Needs of Dementia Caregivers in Urban and Rural Areas

Sample size: 38 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Miyawaki Christina, McClellan Angela, Russell David, Bouldin Erin

Primary Institution: University of Houston

Hypothesis

What are the unmet service needs of urban caregivers of people with dementia compared to their rural counterparts?

Conclusion

Urban caregivers of people with dementia have different service needs and experiences compared to rural caregivers.

Supporting Evidence

  • Rural caregivers wished for more information and support.
  • Urban caregivers sought satisfactory solutions through information searching.
  • Rural caregivers felt guilt about using limited services.
  • Urban caregivers aimed to assist others by sharing resources.
  • Urban caregivers needed culturally tailored services.
  • Rural caregivers' needs were more place-specific.
  • Increasing online support options could help rural caregivers.
  • Developing ethnic-specific resources is a priority for urban caregivers.

Takeaway

Caregivers in cities and in the countryside need different kinds of help for taking care of people with dementia.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted with 20 rural caregivers and 18 urban caregivers to explore their service needs and use.

Participant Demographics

Participants included 20 caregivers from rural Western North Carolina and 18 caregivers from urban Houston, Texas.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3535

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication