Sammendrag
The purpose of the study is to analyse variations in the use of health care services among next of kin to persons with dementia living in place, and in particular the importance of care competence among next of kin. The study is a cross-sectional survey based on the membership register of the Dementia Branch of the Norwegian Health Association. The sample comprises 231 caregivers to persons with dementia living in place. The variation in use of health care services is analysed in a multivariable logistic regression. Increased care competence reduces the chance for use of municipal care services. However, sex of persons with dementia, informal care and health of next-of-kin carers are stronger predictors. Increased informal care and reduced health among next-of-kin increases chances of using municipal care services. The chance of using services is higher when the person with dementia is a woman, but the sex of the next of kin is not associated with use of services. The services should to a greater extent strengthen care competence and participation of caregivers in the development of quality-based services.