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

Chiatti, Carlos LU ; Rodríguez Gatta, Danae ; Malmgren Fänge, Agneta LU orcid ; Scandali, Valerio Mattia ; Masera, Filippo and Lethin, Connie LU orcid (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.

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author
; ; ; ; and
author collaboration
organization
publishing date
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
  • scopus:85057523654
  • pmid:30487417
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}},
}