A1 Journal article (refereed)
Unmet care needs are common among community-dwelling older people with memory problems in Finland (2021)

Aaltonen, M. S., & Van Aerschot, L. H. (2021). Unmet care needs are common among community-dwelling older people with memory problems in Finland. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 49(4), 423-432. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494819890800

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Aaltonen, Mari S.; Van Aerschot, Lina H.

Journal or series: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health

ISSN: 1403-4948

eISSN: 1651-1905

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 49

Issue number: 4

Pages range: 423-432

Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494819890800

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78454

Abstract

Aims: Ageing in place has become a policy priority. Consequently, residential care has been reduced, and more older people with multiple care needs reside at home with the help of informal care and home care services. An increasing share of these people has memory disorders. We examined the extent to which memory problems, in addition to other individual characteristics, are associated with unmet care needs among community-dwelling older people. Methods: The study employed cross-sectional survey data from community-dwelling people aged 75+ collected in 2010 and 2015, analysed using binary logistic regression analysis. The study population consisted of people who had long-term illnesses or disabilities that limited their everyday activities (N = 1928). Nine per cent reported substantial memory problems. Of these, 35.7% had a proxy respondent. Results: People with memory problems have more care needs than those with other types of disability or illness. They receive more care but still have more unmet needs than others. About a quarter of people with memory problems reported that they did not receive enough help. This result did not change significantly when the proxy responses were excluded. Even a combination of informal and formal home care was insufficient to meet their needs. Conclusions: Insufficient care for people with memory problems implies a serious demand for further development of home care services. The care needs of this population are often complex. Unmet needs represent a serious risk to the well-being of people with memory disorders, and may also create an extensive burden on their informal caregivers.

Keywords: home care; caring for close relatives; people with memory disorders; memory disorders; need for care; deficiencies

Free keywords: formal home care; informal care; unmet needs; insufficient care; memory problems

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1