A GIS APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING SERVICE ACCESS DISPARITIES IN RURAL APPALACHIA

Abstract

Abstract Formal service use can help decrease caregiving burden for family members of persons with dementia; however, barriers related to service use are common. For example, driving distance can be problematic in rural areas with mountainous terrain, as in the Appalachian region of Virginia. The purpose of this study was to examine distance from family homes to services and its association with service use. Thirty-nine caregivers’ residences and 84 service locations were mapped, then driving distance to and distribution of services were analyzed using Service Area Solver and Closest Facility Solver in ArcGIS. Results suggest that services were unevenly distributed based on caregiver location. Specifically, of all services examined, food banks and medical facilities had the most facilities near caregiver locations, whereas adult day services, support groups, and educational programs for caregivers were sparse. Findings are discussed in light of identifying vulnerable caregivers as well as hot-spots for potential interventions.