205 Perceived Needs and Access to Community-based Dementia Resources in the Rural Deep South

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The goal of this project is to investigate dementia caregivers’ needs, barriers to access, and current utilization of community-based dementia-care services in Alabama, and how these vary across rural/urban settings and racial groups. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We partnered with Marketry Inc. to recruit and conduct interviews among three groups: dementia caregivers, healthcare providers, and aging services representatives. We recruited caregivers from dementia support groups and aging services in 2 rural and 2 urban Alabama counties. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit healthcare providers and aging services representatives. Interviews were conducted by trained Marketry staff, recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Rapid content analysis was conducted by three investigators using the Social Determinants of Health as a coding framework to assess patterns in barriers and facilitators to utilizing community-based dementia resources. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We interviewed 5 healthcare providers, 32 caregivers, and 15 aging services representatives. Providers thought that the process of memory loss care is not streamlined and they lack key information necessary to fulfill their role. Caregivers expressed a need for more dementia education, social connection, and access to financial resources. Aging services agencies need more funding and volunteers to sustain community-based dementia services. Dementia resources, like memory clinics, were more available in urban than in rural counties. African-American caregivers mentioned a reluctance to accept outside help for taking care of their loved ones with dementia, potentially due to distrust. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: There is a need for more accessible dementia services in rural AL and a need to build service trust and familiarity, especially among African-American caregivers. Future research should develop tools for providers and caregivers to start conversations and increase awareness of service availability.