Increasing the Use of Formal Services by Caregivers of People with Dementia (Dementia,Care and Treatment‪)‬

Four million individuals in the United, States are believed to suffer from Alzheimer s disease and other dementias (AD), and the number of people with dementia is projected to quadruple in 50 years (Brookmeyer, Gray, & Kawas, 1998). The important role that family caregivers play in maintaining individuals with AD in the community has been widely documented (Toseland, Smith, & McCallion, 2001). For example, Arno and colleagues (1999) estimated that the national economic value of informal caring for people with dementia is $196 billion. Because care needs increase substantially as dementia progresses, professional health and human services are needed to supplement the care provided by family members and to support their efforts. Although studies have found a great need for services among people with AD and their primary informal caregivers, low levels of service utilization have been reported (for example, Adler, Kuskowski, & Mortimer, 1995; Cotrell, 1996; Kosloski & Montgomery, 1992). Therefore, interventions that encourage and support greater use of formal services appear warranted. Social workers play a vital role in meeting the biopsychosocial needs of community-residing people with dementia and their family caregivers. For example, hospital social workers frequently work with caregivers when a crisis occurs and when care needs exceed caregivers' capacities. Social workers in family services agencies and employee assistance programs are called on to work with caregivers of people with dementia in community settings. An important element in these situations is information and referral, often to local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association (AA). However, no information is available about who is likely to benefit from referral to a local AA chapter, of who is likely to want follow-up services after a referral. Therefore, the usefulness of referrals, and the effectiveness of interventions resulting from these referrals, would be enhanced by greater understanding of the helpfulness of AA interventions.