Factors Associated with Paid Service Use among Caregivers of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This study aimed to describe paid service use among informal caregivers of community-dwelling older adults and to identify factors associated with paid service use using data from the Caregiving in the U.S. 2020. Home modification was the most used paid service (43.2%) followed by paid help (41%), outside transportation (22.5%), and respite care (14.5%) among 912 caregivers. Higher levels of caregiver education and household income, recipients' older age, greater numbers of recipient health conditions/problems, higher levels of care intensity, and providing medical/nursing tasks were associated with a greater number of paid service use. Home healthcare clinicians play an essential role in supporting informal caregivers in the community setting by assessing caregiving needs and the home environment during each visit and referring caregivers to appropriate state or federal caregiver support programs. Research examining the decision-making process regarding paid service use among older adults and their caregivers could provide an opportunity to deliver more patient/caregiver-centered services.