The Utilization Rates and Predictors of Dementia Care Services of Low-Income Patients in One Community Based Dementia Care Center

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the utilization rates and predictors of dementia care services. METHODS: We recruited 66 low-income elderly patients who were registered to one community based dementia care center. The care services were composed of hygiene care items supply, nurse visiting service, education programs for caregivers and patients, and global positioning system (GPS) or identification tags supply. Service use prediction was evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Use rate of hygiene care items supply was higher than others [44 of 66 (66.67%)]. The patients who lived with family had used more care items than who lived alone [odds ratio (OR), 3.43 ; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.73 to 5.54]. The patients who had comorbid conditions used more hygiene care items than who had not (OR 2.50 ; 95% CI, 1.35 to 3.78). In participants with the higher education level, the higher use rate of education program was predicted (OR 1.14 ; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.28). CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that living-alone and low education should be overcome for providing more effective dementia care services to low-income patients.