Impact of Caregiving for Dementia Patients on Healthcare Utilization of Caregivers

Abstract

The elderly, whom are vulnerable to the physical, mental and chronic diseases of aging, are the fastest growing segment of the US population. Dementia is of particular concern in this population, and caregivers of people with dementia are subjected to psychological, physical, emotional and functional stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of caregiving for dementia patients on health care services utilization of caregivers and to examine if caregivers utilize more healthcare services than the control group. The study recruited a total of 143 people in control and non-control groups through non-probability convenience sampling. The control group (non-caregivers) comprised of 71 people, whereas the experimental group (caregivers) consisted of 72 participants. The focus of the study was the health care utilization questionnaire, asking the caregiver about the frequency of specific health care services utilization—including medication use in the last six months, on the scale from 0 to 10. Results were statistically significant for each of the healthcare service utilization when comparing caregivers to the control group. By providing adequate support and assistance in form of support groups, we can alleviate caregivers’ burden and more effectively address the needs of caregivers—thereby reducing the utilization of healthcare services.

The Impact of Multiple Long-Term Care Services Use on Dementia and Nondementia Caregivers’ Health Care Utilization and Costs

“…Past studies have also shown that dementia caregivers tend to be at higher risk of hospitalization; this finding is true when compared to nondementia caregivers (Chan et al, 2018), to noncaregivers (Goren et al, 2016; Moore et al, 2001; Rahman et al, 2019), or to their own past history (Schubert et al, 2008; Toseland et al, 1999). In our study, the dementia caregivers tended to use more hospital resources than nondementia caregivers when their family member used a single LTC service, while nonsignificant relationship was found when the family member received multiple LTC services.…”

“…Effective outpatient services might be able to prevent ED visits or hospitalizations (Lieu et al, 1997). Past studies have found that caregiving responsibilities can affect dementia caregivers’ healthcare utilization and costs (Bremer et al, 2015; Chan et al, 2018; Goren et al, 2016; Moore et al, 2001; Pruchno & Potashnik, 1989; Rahman et al, 2019; Schubert et al, 2008; Toseland et al, 1999; Van Houtven et al, 2005; Zhu et al, 2015). Dementia caregivers have been reported to use outpatient services and hospitalizations most frequently (Toseland et al, 1999).…”

Mothers of children with major congenital anomalies have increased health care utilization over a 20-year post-birth time horizon

“…Our results are consistent with existing evidence for other caregiving populations ( e . g ., those caring for dementia patients) that also found greater health care utilization among the caregivers [ 21 , 22 ]. This study was conducted in a longitudinal setting among mothers in Denmark, where the national health care system fully covers primary, specialist, inpatient, and mental health services.…”

Does God Work in All Things to the Good of Those Who Love Him? Family Caregivers of Persons with Early-Stage Dementia Share Their Spiritual Struggles

“…Up to one third of family caregivers report anxiety and/or depression, suggesting a significant mental health toll related to the caregiving experience (Schulz and Martire 2004;Sheehan et al 2021). In addition, caregivers are at risk for developing stressrelated health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, and compromised immunity (Rahman et al 2019;Vitaliano et al 2005). A sense of perceived burden may emerge due to the ongoing stressors associated with caregiving (Armstrong et al 2019;Schulz and Eden 2016;Thompson et al 2005).…”