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Abstract
This study assessed unmet service needs of rural older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and identified factors that were related to these needs. Data were collected from 109 informal caregivers of AD patients. Over half of the patients experienced unmet service needs in 1 or more areas of activities of daily functioning. Informal caregiver burden and patient's gender and functional status were significantly related to patients' unmet service needs. Patients' use of formal services was marginally related to their unmet service needs. To better address patients' service needs, a comprehensive needs assessment should be conducted with both patients and their caregivers.
Acknowledgments
This project is supported by a grant from the Hartford Foundation and the Gerontological Society of America. We thank Ms. Jana Mosley and Mrs. Nancy Kyrouac for their assistance in data collection. We also thank Dr. Martin Tracy, Dr. Mary Eamon, and Mrs. Jennifer Rauch Maupin for their helpful comments and editorial assistance.