| Abstrakt: |
This paper examined the service utilization by family caregivers of dementia relatives in rural Alabama, a southeastern state in the U.S. Data were collected from a probability sample of 141 caregivers living in 45 rural counties of the state. The average number of formal services used was low. The most frequently used services were visiting nurses (38.3%), home health aids (32.6%), and homemakers (24.8%). A modified stress coping model was used to predict the six most frequently used services and the overall number of services used. The dementia severity of care recipients was related to the use of home health aids, visiting nurses, case management, and home delivered meals. Caregiver physical and emotional health predicted the use of psychological/counseling services. Caregiver employment status, age, and education level were related to the use of homemakers and use of delivered meals. Practice implications for rural social workers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
