scholarly journals Dyadic interventions for community-dwelling people with dementia and their family caregivers: a systematic review

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1581-1603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Netta Van't Leven ◽  
Anna-Eva J. C. Prick ◽  
Johanna G. Groenewoud ◽  
Pepijn D. D. M. Roelofs ◽  
Jacomine de Lange ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground:In this review, we study the effects of dyadic psychosocial interventions focused on community-dwelling people with dementia and their family caregivers, and the relationship of the effects with intervention components of programs.Methods:A search from January 2005 to January 2012 led to 613 hits, which we reviewed against our inclusion criteria. We added studies from 1992 to 2005 reviewed by Smits et al. (Smits, C. H. M., De Lange, J., Droes, R.-M., Meiland, F., Vernooij-Dassen, M. and Pot, A. M. (2007). Effects of combined intervention programs for people with dementia living at home and their caregivers: a systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22, 1181–1193). We assessed the methodological quality of 41 programs with the Cochrane criteria and two items of the Oxford Centre of Evidence-based Medicine guidelines.Results:Studies of moderate to high quality concerning 20 different dyadic psychosocial programs for people with dementia and caregivers were included. Nineteen of these programs show significant effects on the patient with dementia, the caregiver, or both. Due to differences in the programs and the studies, this study does not provide an unequivocal answer about which programs are most effective. Programs with intervention components that actively train one or more specific functional domains for the person with dementia and/or the caregiver seem to have a beneficial impact on that domain, although there are exceptions. Reasons can be found in the program itself, the implementation of the program, and the study design.Conclusions:Dyadic psychosocial programs are effective, but the outcomes for the person with dementia and the caregiver vary. More attention is needed for matching the targeted functional domains, intervention components, and delivery characteristics of a program with the needs of the person with dementia and the family caregiver.

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 2031-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Eva Prick ◽  
Jacomine de Lange ◽  
Jos Twisk ◽  
Anne Margriet Pot

ABSTRACTBackground:Earlier research showed that multi-component dyadic interventions – including a combination of intervention strategies and addressing both the person with dementia and caregiver – have a beneficial impact on the mental and physical health of people with dementia and their family caregivers. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a multi-component dyadic intervention, which is a translated and adapted version of an intervention that has been shown to be effective in the US by Teri et al. (2003), was performed. The effects on caregivers’ mood (primary outcome), burden, general health, and salivary cortisol levels (secondary outcomes) were studied.Methods:Community-dwelling people with dementia and their family caregivers (N = 111 dyads) were randomly assigned. The experimental group received eight home visits during three months, combining physical exercise and support (psycho-education, communication skills training, and planning of pleasant activities). Both the physical exercise and support component were directed at both the person with dementia and the caregiver. The comparison group received monthly information bulletins and phone calls. There were three measurements at baseline (prior to the intervention), at three months, and at six months into the intervention. Data were analyzed with Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) based on an intention-to-treat analysis of all available data.Results:All analyses showed no benefits of the intervention over time on any of the outcomes.Conclusion:The negative results might be explained by the translation and adaptation of the intervention that has been shown to be effective in the US: the intervention was shortened and did not include cognitive reframing. However, only the health effects on people with dementia and not on caregivers were studied in the US. Several other factors might also have played a role, which are important for future studies to take into account. These are: the usual health care in the country or region of implementation; the wishes and needs of participants for specific intervention components; the room for improvement regarding these components; the inclusion of positive outcome measures, such as pleasure, and the quality of the relationship.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110557
Author(s):  
Melissa L. Harris ◽  
Marita G. Titler

Although behavioral and psychological symptoms are burdensome for people with dementia and their caregivers, perceptions of family caregivers regarding management of these symptoms are unclear. This study explored the experiences of family caregivers regarding behavioral and psychological symptoms experienced by relatives with dementia, management of these symptoms, and changes in their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative, exploratory approach using constant comparative methods was used; 21 family caregivers were interviewed virtually. The following 10 major themes emerged: (1) Emotional and psychological experiences of caregiver, (2) emotional, psychological, and behavioral responses of person with dementia, (3) cognition of person with dementia, (4) loss, (5) concerns for the future, (6) reliance, (7) learning to caregive, (8) rewarding aspects of caregiving, (9) caregiver perspectives, and (10) care strategies. Caregivers described many challenges to care before and during the pandemic. Acceptable and effective care strategies are needed to promote the well-being of families living with dementia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. H. J. Mengelers ◽  
Michel H. C. Bleijlevens ◽  
Hilde Verbeek ◽  
Elizabeth Capezuti ◽  
Frans E. S. Tan ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele J. Kelly ◽  
Tim Luckett ◽  
Josephine M. Clayton ◽  
Liam Gabb ◽  
Slavica Kochovska ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) is identified as being an important process for people with dementia. However, its efficacy for improving outcomes relevant for the individual, carers and the health system has yet to be established.AimWe conducted a systematic review with the aims of testing the efficacy of ACP for people with dementia and describing the settings and population in which it has been evaluated.MethodsA search was completed of electronic databases in August 2016. Articles were included if they described interventions aimed at increasing planning for future care of people with dementia, delivered to the person with dementia, their carers and/or health professionals.ResultsOf 4,772 articles returned by searches, 30 met the inclusion criteria, testing interventions in nursing home (n= 16) community (n = 10) and acute care (n = 4) settings. Only 18 interventions directly involved the person with dementia, with the remainder focusing on surrogate decision-makers. In all settings, interventions were found effective in increasing ACP practice. In nursing homes, ACP was found to influence care and increase the concordance between end of life wishes and care provided. Interventions in the community were found to improve patient quality of life but were not shown to influence concordance.ConclusionFuture research should focus on ways to involve people with dementia in decision-making through supported means.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1785-1800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Alsawy ◽  
Warren Mansell ◽  
Phil McEvoy ◽  
Sara Tai

ABSTRACTBackground:Many strategies have been recommended to support caregivers in communicating with people who live with dementia. However, less is known about what makes communication a good and meaningful experience from the perspective of people with dementia. Understanding this may enhance the person with dementia's sense of connectedness, strengthen their relationships, and facilitate person-centered care. The current review aimed to evaluate research that examined experiences of communication in people living with dementia. Studies that examined reports provided by people with dementia, healthcare professionals, and family caregivers were included.Methods:A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted using PsychINFO, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases.Results:After applying the eligibility criteria, 15 studies were included. Although eight of these recruited people with dementia, only one focused on their perspectives of communication experiences and the remaining studies focused on the perspectives of family caregivers and healthcare professionals. These studies either explored experiences without suggestions of communication methods, “open exploration,” or through examining experiences of strategies, “exploration of strategies.” A significant theme was around communication difficulties that affected interpersonal relationships and activities of daily living. Conversely, personhood strategies and a strong underlying relationship were believed to facilitate communication. The one study that examined the perspectives of people with dementia emphasized the importance of retaining valued relationships and feeling respected during communication.Conclusions:The need to involve people with dementia in research, particularly around their experiences of communication, is evident. Such research would be imperative for facilitating person-centered care, strengthening social relationships, and informing training programs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Macleod ◽  
Gemma Tatangelo ◽  
Marita McCabe ◽  
Emily You

ABSTRACTBackground:Family caregivers of people with dementia have significant unmet needs in regard to their caregiving role. Despite this, they are reluctant to utilize services to reduce their burden. The aim of this study was to examine the barriers and facilitators of service use among family caregivers of people with dementia.Method:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 family caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia. Of these, 12 were partner caregivers (4 men, 8 women) and 12 were offspring caregivers (2 men, 10 women). The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.Results:Six main barriers and three facilitators were identified. These barriers and facilitators were relevant across many types of services and supports. The barriers were: the inability to find information about relevant services or support, the poor quality or mistrust of the services, the inflexibility of services, caregivers’ beliefs about their obligations to the caregiving role and resistance by the care recipient. Key facilitators were: having good communication with the care recipient, having an “expert” point of contact, and having beliefs about the caregiving role that enabled the use of services.Conclusion:Given the significant changes in the aged care service-system, it is important to discuss the barriers faced by family caregivers of people with dementia. This will inform the development of targeted strategies to address the lack of service use among these family caregivers.


Mindfulness ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick P. K. Kor ◽  
Wai Tong Chien ◽  
Justina Y. W. Liu ◽  
Claudia K. Y. Lai

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1281-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacki Stansfeld ◽  
Charlotte R. Stoner ◽  
Jennifer Wenborn ◽  
Myrra Vernooij-Dassen ◽  
Esme Moniz-Cook ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground:Family caregivers of people living with dementia can have both positive and negative experiences of caregiving. Despite this, existing outcome measures predominately focus on negative aspects of caregiving such as burden and depression. This review aimed to evaluate the development and psychometric properties of existing positive psychology measures for family caregivers of people living with dementia to determine their potential utility in research and practice.Method:A systematic review of positive psychology outcome measures for family caregivers of people with dementia was conducted. The databases searched were as follows: PsychINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed. Scale development papers were subject to a quality assessment to appraise psychometric properties.Results:Twelve positive outcome measures and six validation papers of these scales were identified. The emerging constructs of self-efficacy, spirituality, resilience, rewards, gain, and meaning are in line with positive psychology theory.Conclusions:There are some robust positive measures in existence for family caregivers of people living with dementia. However, lack of reporting of the psychometric properties hindered the quality assessment of some outcome measures identified in this review. Future research should aim to include positive outcome measures in interventional research to facilitate a greater understanding of the positive aspects of caregiving and how these contribute to well-being.


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