American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®

 

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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 22, No. 5, 360-368 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1533317507305178

How Do Officially Organized Services Meet the Needs of Elderly Caregivers and Their Spouses With Alzheimer's Disease?

Minna Raivio, MD

Memory Research and Treatment Centers Finland, Medical Center Hemo Oy, Lahti, Social Insurance Institution of Finland, University of Helsinki, and Clinics of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Helsinki University Hospital, minna.raivio{at}phnet.Fi.

Ulla Eloniemi-Sulkava, MSN, PhD

Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged, Finland

Marja-Liisa Laakkonen, MD, PhD

Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged, Finland

Marja Saarenheimo, PhD

Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged, Finland

Minna Pietilä, PhD

Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged, Finland

Reijo Tilvis, MD, PhD

Department of Geriatrics, University of Helsinki and Unit of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Helsinki University Hospital

Kaisu Pitkälä, MD, PhD

Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Unit of General Practice, Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki, Finland

The caregiving situation among caregivers and their spouses with Alzheimer's disease, the support and services received, the unmet needs, and the caregivers' satisfaction with the services are examined. The study included a survey of a random sample of 1943 caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease in Finland. Mean age of the caregivers was 78.2 years, and 35% had poor subjective health. Disabilities and behavioral symptoms were common among the spouses with Alzheimer's disease. The services most often offered were financial support (36%), technical devices (33%), physiotherapy (32%), and respite care in nursing homes (31%). Most often needed services were physiotherapy for the spouse with dementia (56%), financial support (50%), house-cleaning (41%), and home respite (40%). Only 39% of the caregivers were satisfied with the services, and 69% felt they did not have any influence on what services were offered. It was concluded that official services poorly meet the needs of these caregivers.

Key Words: dementia • Alzheimer • caregiver • services • needs


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