Home and Community-Based Services for Well Educated Older Caregivers: Gender Differences in Attitudes, Barriers, and Use

Using a sample of 169 well educated, relatively affluent older caregivers, we examined gender differences in attitudes about home and community-based services, service use, interest in services, and barriers to service use. We found significant gender differences in two attitudinal dimensions: preference for informal care and acceptance of government services. A higher proportion of men than women would rather use community services than ask family for help. A larger percentage of women than men believed the government should provide more services. Service use was modest. On average, caregivers were about 5 times more likely to express interest in a service than to have used one. Findings suggest that greater outreach by providers may usefully address service barriers.