Utilization of Formal and Informal Care by Community-Living People with Dementia: A Comparative Study between Sweden and Italy

Carlos Chiatti, Danae Rodríguez Gatta, Agneta Malmgren Fänge, Valerio Mattia Scandali, Filippo Masera, Connie Lethin and On behalf of the UP-TECH and TECH@HOME research groups
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Carlos Chiatti: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of medicine, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Danae Rodríguez Gatta: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of medicine, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Agneta Malmgren Fänge: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of medicine, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Valerio Mattia Scandali: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60030 Ancona, Italy
Filippo Masera: Department of Health Care Planning, Regional Health Agency of Marche Region, 60015 Ancona, Italy
Connie Lethin: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of medicine, Lund University, Box 157, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: Background: Dementia is a public health priority with a dramatic social and economic impact on people with dementia (PwD), their caregivers and societies. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge on how utilization of formal and informal care varies between Sweden and Italy. Methods: Data were retrieved from two trials: TECH@HOME (Sweden) and UP-TECH (Italy). The sample consisted of 89 Swedish and 317 Italian dyads (PwD and caregivers). Using bivariate analysis, we compared demographic characteristics and informal resource utilization. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyze factors associated with time spent on care by the informal caregivers. Results: Swedish participants utilized more frequently health care and social services. Informal caregivers in Italy spent more time in caregiving than the Swedish ones (6.3 and 3.7 h per day, respectively). Factors associated with an increased time were country of origin, PwD level of dependency, living situation, use of formal care services and occupation. Conclusions: Care and service utilization significantly varies between Sweden and Italy. The level of formal care support received by the caregivers has a significant impact on time spent on informal care. Knowledge on the factors triggering formal care resources utilization by PwD and their caregivers might further support care services planning and delivery across different countries.

Keywords: dementia; health services; resource utilization; dementia care; informal care; formal care; cognitive disorder (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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