The Needs and Utilization of Long-Term Care Service Resources by Dementia Family Caregivers and the Affecting Factors

Chia-Hui Chang, Yung Ming, Tsung-Hung Chang, Yea-Yin Yen and Shou-Jen Lan
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Chia-Hui Chang: Department of Nursing, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan
Yung Ming: Central Office of Administration, Antai Medical Corporation Antai Tian-Sheng Memorial Hospital, Pingtung County 92842, Taiwan
Tsung-Hung Chang: Central Office of Administration, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan
Yea-Yin Yen: Department of Oral Hygiene, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
Shou-Jen Lan: Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: This study was to evaluate the utilization of long-term care service resources by caregivers of patients with dementia (PWD) and to determine affecting factors. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 100 dyads were enrolled and caregivers responded to the questionnaires. We found 40% of caregivers not using any care resources. Between those caregivers using and not-using care resources, we found differences ( p < 0.05) in their health status and living conditions; the difference ( p < 0.05) was also found in patients’ behavior and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The frequency of BPSD (OR = 1.045, p = 0.016, 95% CI = 1.001–1.083) and the living conditions (OR = 3.519, p = 0.007, 95% CI = 1.414–8.759) were related to their use of care resources. Particular BPSDs, such as anxiety or restlessness, throwaway food, aggressive behavior, tearing of clothes, and sexual harassment of patients were related to the caregivers’ use of care resources ( p < 0.01). Health professionals have to evaluate the patients’ BPSD and identify the caregivers’ essential needs. Individualized medical care and BPSD-related care resources should be provided for patients and caregivers for taking off their care burden and improving patient care.

Keywords: dementia; caregiver of patients with dementia; caregiver burden; BPSD; long-term care service resources (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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