Service needs and interests: A comparison of African American and white caregivers seeking Alzheimer assistance

Abstract

This paper is a report on the findings of a study of the use of Alzheimer's Association services in Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland by African American and white family caregivers. The findings reveal that both sets of caregivers contacted the Associations in similar stages of their caregiving situations. Both groups were well educated. Approximately one fourth of all caregivers were college graduates. The African Americans included a more diverse set of caregivers who also received more hours of assistance in their caregiving tasks. However, neither group felt understood by their supports and the African American perceived a significantly greater need for more assistance. All caregivers were interested in using the services of the Associations with the African Americans particularly more interested in the telephone advice program and the I.D. bracelets. The findings also reveal that the predictors of the need for help differ from those predicting future calls to the Associations.