Alzheimer’s Patients’ Spouses Critiques of the Support Services

Abstract

Introduction . Caregiving families of patients with dementia are often reluctant to use support services. The aim of this study was to describe their subjective critiques of these services. Material and Methods . A cross-sectional questionnaire was sent to a random sample ( N = 1943 ) of Alzheimer’s patients’ spouses in Finland with an open-ended question: “What kind of problems have you faced with the services?” Their responses were analyzed with thematic content analysis. Results . Of the responders identifying themselves as caregivers ( N = 1386 ), 728 (mean age 77.8, 65.1% females) responded. Opinions could be divided into two categories: (1) problems with the service application process ( N = 296 ); (2) critiques of the services offered ( N = 270 ) including either problems with community care support services or institutional care. 74 indicated that they had no need for services, and 15 praised the services they had received. Conclusions . From the caregiver’s perspective, the service system is complicated, bureaucratic and works organization centredly.