Use of health and support services by people living with dementia in the community setting

To determine the access to and use of health-care services by people with dementia in the community.

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) administrative claims data was conducted. Veterans and their spouses with one or more dementia claims between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2016, who were aged ≥45 years at the time of the claim and who were still alive and living in the community on 30 June 2017, were included. We assessed the proportions of people with dementia who received medical, pharmacy and medicines, allied health services, and home care supports from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.

A total of 10 171 people with dementia were included. They had a median age of 89 years, 60% were female, and 63% lived in a major city. Over the one-year study period, 98% visited the GP and 99% had medicines dispensed at a pharmacy. Eighty-two per cent saw a specialist, and 19% saw a geriatrician. Thirty-one per cent received a DVA-funded dose administration aid to support medication administration, and 19% received a home medicines review. Less than half had claims for occupational therapist services (48%), community nursing (48%), physiotherapists (41%) or dentist visits (33%). Fifty-eight per cent received home care supports, for example domestic assistance.

Many people living with dementia in the community do not access all of the health-care or support services available to them. Ensuring that people with dementia and their carers are supported to access the services available to assist them live in the community setting for as long as possible is important.