| Learning Objective #1: Identify the key components of satisfaction with community services by persons who care for individuals with dementia | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe perceptions about the barriers to effective dementia caregiving in the community |
The purpose of this study was to investigate use of and satisfaction with services, remaining unmet need, and political opinions of family caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) in two northern New England states to compare concerns within the public policy climates of both states.
Design:
This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study using focus group method.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years:
Caregivers of persons with dementia were invited to participate through support groups affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association. Fifty-one groups (100%) were invited. Sixteen groups (31.4%) were interviewed in 2003, representing 120 individual caregivers.
Concepts/Variables Studied:
This study examined issues of caregiver concern, service use and satisfaction, unmet needs,and political opinions related to caregiving among families affected by dementia.
Methods:
Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for the study protocol. Informed consents were obtained before each group interview. No one declined to participate. Each interview was audiotaped and transcribed by the researcher. Themes were identified using standard methods for qualitative research.
Findings:
Key themes were shame, denial, and unremitting caregiving, all potential barriers to the utilization of services. Service availability was perceived to be limited by inadequate numbers of qualified workers and insufficient financial resources. Participants felt that politicians were not sincerely interested in developing solutions for long-term care. They wanted better cohesion among available services, increased access, and more funding for caregiving.
Conclusions:
Barriers to use of services include shame, denial, and inadequate access. Caregivers who use community services tend to be satisfied if continuity can be assured. They are interested in political change, but discouraged with failures in legislative action to alleviate the burden of caregiving.
Implications:
Investigation of larger samples of caregivers must address the interaction of public policy, funding, service structure, caregiver burden, and health care workforce supply.
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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004