Socio-economic predictors of time to care home admission in people living with dementia in Wales: a routine data linkage study

Clarissa Giebel*, Joe Hollinghurst, Ashley Akbari, Christian Schnier, Tim Wilkinson, Laura North, Mark Gabbay, Sarah Rodgers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives
Limited research has shown that people with dementia (PwD) from lower socio-economic backgrounds can face difficulties in accessing the right care at the right time. This study examined whether socio-economic status (SES) and rural versus urban living location are associated with the time between diagnosis and care home admission in PwD living in Wales, UK.

Methods/Design
This study linked routine health data and an e-cohort of PwD who have been admitted into a care home between 2000 and 2018 living in Wales. Survival analysis explored the effects of SES, living location, living situation, and frailty on the time between diagnosis and care home admission.

Results
In 34,514 PwD, the average time between diagnosis and care home admission was 1.5 (±1.4) years. Cox regression analysis showed that increased age, living alone, frailty, and living in less disadvantaged neighbourhoods were associated with faster rate to care home admission. Living in rural regions predicted a slower rate until care home admission.

Conclusions
This is one of the first studies to show a link between socio-economic factors on time to care home admission in dementia. Future research needs to address variations in care needs between PwD from different socio-economic and geographical backgrounds.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)511-520
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume36
Issue number4
Early online date19 Oct 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • care homes
  • dementia
  • health inequalities
  • routine data
  • socio-economic status

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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