Availability and Acceptability of Canadian Home and Community-based Services: Perspectives of Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

Authors

Dorothy A. Forbes, University of Western OntarioFollow
Maureen Markle-Reid, McMaster University
Pamela Hawranik, University of Manitoba
Shelley Peacock, University of Alberta
Dawn Kingston, McMaster University
Debra Morgan, University of Saskatchewan
Sandra Henderson, McMaster University
Beverly Leipert, University of Western OntarioFollow
S. Lynn Jansen, University of Western OntarioFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2008

Journal

Home Health Care Services Quarterly

Volume

27

Issue

2

First Page

75

Last Page

99

Abstract

Thirty-five percent of Canadians over the age of 85 have dementia, and up to 90% of their home care is provided by family and friends. The purpose of this study was to explore the use and satisfaction with home and community-based services for persons with dementia from the perspectives of family caregivers. The study was conducted using an interpretive, descriptive, qualitative approach. Six focus groups (N = 36) and three personal interviews were conducted with rural and urban caregivers in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, Canada. Using Lubrosky's (1994) thematic analysis, the overarching themes identified were availability and acceptability of services. The findings suggest a need for an integrated continuing care model that includes the person living with dementia and their family caregivers as partners in care, addresses all of the determinants of health, and embraces sensitivity, diversity, flexibility, and supportive services to enhance the availability and acceptability of Canadian home and community-based services.

Notes

Published in: Home Health Care Services Quarterly, Volume 27, Issue 2, June 2008, pages 75-99. DOI: 10.1080/01621420802022548