Availability and quality of facilities for people with dementia and their caregivers in Lithuania
Živilė Vaičekauskytė, Greta Pšemeneckienė, Ieva Petkutė, Simona Karpavičiūtė, Jūratė Macijauskienė- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Neurology (clinical)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Health Policy
- Epidemiology
Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability and quality of health care and social care services as well as information with dementia related topics for people with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers. The research project was a part of a project “Towards a Dementia Strategy: Situation Analysis and Public Awareness” financed by the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021 through the Active Citizens Fund.
Method
The questionnaire based on the literature and relevant themes for the county was developed with 65 questions for caregivers. An online anonymous survey was conducted from 2022 September to 2023 and distributed using “snowball” method, in which 68 respondents (mean 51.6 years of age) participated.
Result
48,5% of respondents cared for PWD in the early stage of disease up to five years. The mean duration to final diagnosis was 13.3 months. The most important criterion for caregivers during establishment of dementia diagnosis was conveyance about progression of disease (77.9%) and competency of health care specialists recognizing dementia symptoms (76.5%). Availability and quality of information during diagnosis establishment was evaluated 5.4 points (out of 10) and was dependent on specialist’s ability to communicate and clearly present information. 51.5% of respondents noted deficiency of information on dementia. 35.3% of respondents stated that health care services are fully provided and 23.5% of participants noted the deficiency of health care facilities, mostly services at home and outpatient rehabilitation services. Availability and quality of health care was evaluated 4.97 points (out of 10.) The most common social service is day social care service at person’s home (22.4%). 53.7% of participants noted that they do not use any social care services. Availability and quality of social care was evaluated 5 points (out of 10).
Conclusion
Availability and quality of health care and social facilities for people with dementia are not meeting expectations of caregivers. There is a lack of information for people with dementia and their caregivers about dementia related topics. The scope of the study is insufficient for more detailed conclusions and further investigation is needed to induce the necessary changes.