Utilization of Formal and Informal Care by Community-Living People with Dementia : A Comparative Study between Sweden and Italy
(2018) In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15(12).- 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... (More)
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.
(Less)
- author
- Chiatti, Carlos LU ; Rodríguez Gatta, Danae ; Malmgren Fänge, Agneta LU ; Scandali, Valerio Mattia ; Masera, Filippo and Lethin, Connie LU
- author collaboration
- organization
- publishing date
- 2018-11-28
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- cognitive disorder, dementia, dementia care, formal care, health services, informal care, resource utilization
- in
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- volume
- 15
- issue
- 12
- article number
- 2679
- publisher
- MDPI AG
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:30487417
- scopus:85057523654
- ISSN
- 1660-4601
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijerph15122679
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 48c08a88-f0f8-4d45-a340-0f42ede5bd69
- date added to LUP
- 2018-12-10 14:34:49
- date last changed
- 2024-06-25 02:27:19
@article{48c08a88-f0f8-4d45-a340-0f42ede5bd69, abstract = {{<p>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.</p>}}, author = {{Chiatti, Carlos and Rodríguez Gatta, Danae and Malmgren Fänge, Agneta and Scandali, Valerio Mattia and Masera, Filippo and Lethin, Connie}}, issn = {{1660-4601}}, keywords = {{cognitive disorder; dementia; dementia care; formal care; health services; informal care; resource utilization}}, language = {{eng}}, month = {{11}}, number = {{12}}, publisher = {{MDPI AG}}, series = {{International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}}, title = {{Utilization of Formal and Informal Care by Community-Living People with Dementia : A Comparative Study between Sweden and Italy}}, url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15122679}}, doi = {{10.3390/ijerph15122679}}, volume = {{15}}, year = {{2018}}, }