Dementia-Related Education and Support Service Availability, Accessibility, and Use in Rural Areas: Barriers and Solutions.

Melanie Bayly,Julie Kosteniuk,Amanda Froehlich Chow,Debra Morgan,Valerie Elliot

doi:10.1017/s0714980819000564

Melanie Bayly, Julie Kosteniuk + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1017/s0714980819000564

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Abstract

This scoping review mapped and synthesized published literature related to education and support services for individuals with dementia and their caregivers living rurally. Specifically, we investigated education and support service needs, availability and use of services, barriers to service access and use, and solutions to these barriers. Empirical, English-language articles (2,381) were identified within MEDLINE, CINAHL, PSYCINFO, and EMBASE. Articles were screened according to Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) five-stage scoping review methodology and the recommendations of Levac et al. (2010). Findings suggest limited availability of rural dementia-related support and education services, particularly respite care and day programs. Service use varied across studies, with barriers including low knowledge regarding services, practicality, and resource issues (e.g., transportation, financial), values and beliefs, stigma, and negative perceptions of services. Solutions included tailored and person-centred services, technological service provision, accessibility assistance, inter-organization collaboration, education regarding services, and having a "point of entry" to service use.

Highlights

This scoping review mapped and synthesized published literature related to education and support services for individuals with dementia and their caregivers living rurally
Community residence is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, with 94 per cent of people with dementia residing at home compared to 78 per cent in higher income countries (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009; Wimo, Jönsson, Bond, Prince, & Winblad, 2013)
For each descriptive study, we reported data pertaining to education and support service needs, use, and availability, in addition to use and accessibility barriers that the study participants reported (Table 4)

Summary

Introduction

This scoping review mapped and synthesized published literature related to education and support services for individuals with dementia and their caregivers living rurally. As national populations age and rates of dementia increase, it will become increasingly important to provide supports for people to live well with dementia. This means providing dementia care that is person-centred, seamless, and coordinated, and to provide support such that the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers are anticipated and met as they arise (Prince, Comas-Herrera, Knapp, Guerchet, & Karagiannidou, 2016). Community residence is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, with 94 per cent of people with dementia residing at home (and family providing most of the care) compared to 78 per cent in higher income countries (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009; Wimo, Jönsson, Bond, Prince, & Winblad, 2013)

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