Availability and Primary Health Care Orientation of Dementia-Related Services in Rural Saskatchewan, Canada.
Community-based services are important for improving outcomes for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. This study examined: (a) availability of rural dementia-related services in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, and (b) orientation of services toward six key attributes of primary health care (i.e., information/education, accessibility, population orientation, coordinated care, comprehensiveness, quality of care). Data were collected from 71 rural Home Care Assessors via cross-sectional survey. Basic health services were available in most communities (e.g., pharmacists, family physicians, palliative care, adult day programs, home care, long-term care facilities). Dementia-specific services typically were unavailable (e.g., health promotion, counseling, caregiver support groups, transportation, week-end/night respite). Mean scores on the primary health care orientation scales were low (range 12.4 to 17.5/25). Specific services to address needs of rural individuals with dementia and their caregivers are limited in availability and fit with primary health care attributes.
a Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada.
Debra G
DG
Morgan
a Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada.
Julie G
JG
Kosteniuk
b College of Nursing , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada.
Norma J
NJ
Stewart
c Department of Psychology , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada.
Megan E
ME
O'Connell
d Division of Neurology, College of Medicine , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada.
Andrew
A
Kirk
e Department of Psychology (Professor Emerita) , University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon , Saskatchewan , Canada.
Margaret
M
Crossley
f School of Rehabilitation Science , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada.
Vanina
V
Dal Bello-Haas
g Faculty of Nursing , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Alberta , Canada.
Dorothy
D
Forbes
h University of the West of Scotland , Hamilton , Scotland.
Anthea
A
Innes
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011320:Primary Health Care; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012525:Saskatchewan; D000069341:Transitional Care / Q000592:standards*
access; availability; dementia; primary health care; rural health service delivery