Unmet needs and nursing home placements in Black, Latino, and White people living with dementia

TL;DR

The study explores why avoidable nursing home placements happen for Black, Latino, and White people with dementia due to unmet needs and barriers in community-based care.

Contribution

The study identifies seven unmet needs and barriers specific to racial groups, offering insights to improve community-based dementia care.

Findings

Seven unmet needs were identified, including assistance with daily living and home maintenance.

Barriers include lack of awareness, affordability, and availability of resources.

Strategies to improve community-based services may reduce avoidable nursing home placements.

Abstract

Many nursing home (NH) placements are avoidable considering equivalent care is possible in community settings.

This qualitative descriptive study explored the unmet needs and related barriers that drive avoidable NH placements among Black, Hispanic/Latino, and White persons living with dementia (PLWD). Interviews were conducted with PLWD, family care partners, and NH staff, from two New York NHs along with aging policy experts.

Seven distinct themes specific to unmet needs emerged from interviews including (1) assistance with activities of daily living and basic home maintenance; (2) resources and services; (3) treatment‐related services; (4) socialization; (5) individual preferences; (6) function of the home (e.g., unaddressed home modification needs); and (7) equipped, available, and supported family. Barriers contributing to unmet needs included awareness, knowledge, availability, affordability, and acceptability of resources, services, and supports.

Strategies to address these unmet needs and improve community‐based services may help reduce these NH placements.

Many people living with dementia can remain at home with necessary supports.There is limited paid and unpaid assistance to support people living with dementia.Navigating the complex landscape of services in the community is challenging.

Many people living with dementia can remain at home with necessary supports.

There is limited paid and unpaid assistance to support people living with dementia.

Navigating the complex landscape of services in the community is challenging.