Gatekeepers: The Association of Caregiving Network Characteristics With Emergency Department Use by Persons Living With Dementia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Caregivers are typically enmeshed in networks of family and friends who assist with care, yet this network is largely neglected in research. In light of the fact that caregivers are key medical decision makers and play a critical role in how persons living with dementia (PLwDs) interface with the health care system, this study explores how features of the caregiver network relate to PLwD emergency department (ED) use.

Methods

Using 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study data linked with fee-for-service Medicare claims, we examine ED use in a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older with dementia and at least 1 caregiver. We consider aspects of the caregiver network including membership (e.g., daughter in network), netwo

SUBMITTER: Leggett AN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10214653 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature