What Are the Characteristics of Caregivers Logging in for Support Services?

Abstract

Background and Objectives Online service delivery options have the potential to increase access to informational resources among caregivers to older adults. However, it is unknown which caregivers will use online-delivered services over usual service delivery modes (e.g., by phone) when both options are available in social service settings. This is important for service providers to know when making decisions that best serve their communities. Research Design and Methods Guided by Andersen’s model of health service utilization, we used step-wise logistic regression models to compare the characteristics of caregivers who used an online information service called FCA CareJourney (FCA CJ) with those who accessed the same services using the usual mode of service delivery ( N = 540). Online and usual-care services were available through two social service organizations in California. Results In all, 13.7% of clients used FCA CJ to receive services online. Enabling characteristics were the main predictors of using online-delivered services. Caregivers employed part-time had 3.82 times the odds of using online-delivered services compared to those employed full-time (odds ratio [OR] = 3.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58–9.22). Caregivers who learned about services from health care providers had 2.91 times the odds of using FCA CJ as those who learned about services through social services (OR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1.28–6.62). Even among those who learned about services online, 62.2% still accessed services using usual delivery modes. Discussion and Implications Based on differences in the characteristics of caregivers using different service delivery modes and the low uptake of online-delivered services, we suggest online service delivery should supplement, not replace, usual delivery modes in social service settings. At the same time, user rates of online service delivery are likely modifiable. Given the potential for online-delivered programming to expand access to information services for caregivers, we recommend further examination into the effects of marketing online service delivery options to caregivers in novel ways.

Predictors of digital support services use by informal caregivers: a cross-sectional comparative survey

“…In both countries, most of the caregivers who participated in the study were females, which is consistent with the results of previous works25–28 and with the central role played by females in the provision of informal care 2–4. In coherence with previous literature,39 41–48 the majority of Italian participants in our study provided care to a parent (in law) and spent more than 40 weekly hours of care, compared with their Swedish counterparts who provided care to spouse/partner and spent less than 10 hours per week providing care.…”

“…Multivariate regression analyses enabled the effect of confounding factors to be controlled for and predictors of use to be identified. In consistency with literature on the same topic in different countries,16–28 our findings indicate that caregiver’s age, health status, caregiver’s educational attainment, total household income, care recipient relationship to the caregiver, gender of care recipient, age of care recipient, hours per week spent caring and the level of dependency of the care recipient are all associated with use.…”

“…Guided by Wilson’s model of information-seeking behaviour,38 the previous survey on services for supporting family carers of older dependent people in Europe ‘EUROFAMCARE’,39 and empirical evidence in the literature,16–28 this study included the following sets of independent variables: caregiver’s demographics; caregiver’s socioeconomic resources and caregiving context. The dependent variable in this study is informal caregivers’ frequent use of the internet to access digital support services.…”

“…Previous literature on internet use for health information seeking showed that young age, good health status and higher education are associated with a more frequent use 16–28. Prior studies also found that females were likely to seek health information on the internet more frequently than males 16–28…”

“…Considering the substantial information needs experienced by informal caregivers, the increased availability of digital support services for caregivers as well as the potential they offer, further understanding of caregivers’ use of the internet to access digital support services is needed,13 14 in order to determine whether factors such as demographics, socioeconomic resources and the caregiving context may influence caregivers’ use of digital support services 15. Previous literature on internet use for health information seeking showed that young age, good health status and higher education are associated with a more frequent use 16–28. Prior studies also found that females were likely to seek health information on the internet more frequently than males 16–28…”