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.