Knowledge, help-seeking and efficacy to find respite services: an exploratory study in help-seeking carers of people with dementia in the context of aged care reforms
Article
Article Title | Knowledge, help-seeking and efficacy to find respite services: an exploratory study in help-seeking carers of people with dementia in the context of aged care reforms |
---|---|
ERA Journal ID | 15806 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Phillipson, L. (Author), Johnson, K. (Author), Cridland, E. (Author), Hall, D. (Author), Neville, C. (Author), Fielding, E. (Author) and Hasan, H. (Author) |
Journal Title | BMC Geriatrics |
Journal Citation | 19, pp. 1-9 |
Article Number | 2 |
Number of Pages | 9 |
Year | 2019 |
Publisher | BioMed Central Ltd. |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 1471-2318 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-018-1009-7 |
Web Address (URL) | https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-018-1009-7 |
Abstract | Background: Research highlights the need for carers of people with dementia to acquire relevant and timely information to assist them to access appropriate respite services. Unfortunately, negative experiences of information-seeking can create additional stress for carers and contribute to delays in up-take, or not using respite services at all. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data was collected from a convenience sample of n = 84 carers of older people with dementia living in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of NSW, Australia. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, information seeking behaviours, and unmet need for respite services in 2016, following national aged care reforms. Results: Over the previous 12 months, 86% of carers sought respite service information. The majority (73%) of all carers reported an unmet need for respite services, and were relying on personal networks to provide support for respite information. Few utilised the new government gateway 'My Aged Care' phone line (11%) or website (25%). However, 35% used a pre-existing helpline to access short term or emergency respite. We found a preference for interpersonal information sources, including local doctor (65%), professionally and volunteer led carer support groups (49%), and family and friends (46%). Those using four or more information sources showed higher capacity to name local respite services. Respite service information seekers were more likely to be caring for someone with behavioural problems, to have received assistance to access services, and to have used respite services in the past 3 to 6 months. Conclusions: New reforms in the Australian aged care sector have not adequately responded to the needs of carers of people with dementia for respite service information and support. Wider, community-based messaging promoting positive service options and the provision of active personal support is required to address the unmet need for respite in carers of people with dementia. |
Keywords | carers; caregivers; dementia; information seeking; respite; service use; system reform |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 429999. Other health sciences not elsewhere classified |
420301. Aged health care | |
420502. Aged care nursing | |
Byline Affiliations | University of Wollongong |
School of Nursing and Midwifery | |
Queensland University of Technology | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q509x/knowledge-help-seeking-and-efficacy-to-find-respite-services-an-exploratory-study-in-help-seeking-carers-of-people-with-dementia-in-the-context-of-aged-care-reforms
Download files
420
total views112
total downloads1
views this month0
downloads this month