Community-Based Services for the Taking but Few Takers: Reasons for Nonuse

Abstract

This study examined reasons for not using nine community-based services and characteristics associated with these reasons among a sample of 293 older person–caregiver dyads in a Canadian province. The most frequent reasons were that the older person's health did not necessitate use, family/friends provided assistance, and the caregiver was unaware of the service. Cognitive impairment was associated with not using homemaker and/or cleaning services, in-home nursing services, and home-delivered meals as family/friends provided assistance; higher caregiver burden also emerged as significant for these services and personal care services. Male caregivers and caregivers with less education were more likely to be unaware of the availability of day centers, day hospitals, and formal respite services. Implications for future research and practice are highlighted.