Who's Helping Whom? Examination of Care Arrangements for Racially and Ethnically Diverse People Living With Dementia in the Community

J Appl Gerontol. 2022 Dec;41(12):2589-2593. doi: 10.1177/07334648221120247. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Abstract

Objective: To address notions around care arrangements for Black and Hispanic people living with dementia (PLwD), the study examined if racial and ethnic differences exist for community-dwelling PLwD. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study, we used Pearson's chi-square and mean comparison to examine differences among a sample of n = 863 community-dwelling White, Black, and Hispanic older PLwD. Results: Black PLwD were less likely than White PLwD to use paid help (26.8% vs. 32.6%), but Hispanic PLwD were most likely to use paid help (46.2%, p < 0.05). Black and Hispanic older adults were more often receiving help from a child (65.8% and 72.2%, respectively; p = 0.01) or other family member (40.3% and 31.0%, respectively; p < 0.01). Discussion: Our findings highlight the important role of familial support in care provision for Black and Hispanic communities. Caregiving supports should be intentional in centering services on the family, not a sole caregiver.

Keywords: care arrangements; caregiving; community residing; racial and ethnic differences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Black People
  • Caregivers*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dementia*
  • Family
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • Independent Living
  • Racial Groups
  • White People