Unmet Service Needs: A Comparison Between Dementia and Non-Dementia Caregivers

This study compared the unmet service needs between dementia and non-dementia caregivers using data extracted from the Caregiving in the U.S. survey. This study sample included 625 non-dementia caregivers and 208 dementia caregivers. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was used in analysis. The study showed that a large percentage of dementia (78.8%) and non-dementia caregivers (69.9%) reported unmet needs in at least one service area. Dementia caregivers who reported higher levels of caregiving strain were likely to report greater unmet service needs (p = .05). To address caregivers' unmet service needs more effectively, a comprehensive assessment of caregivers and their care receivers and interventions addressing the needs of both caregivers and care receivers are needed.