Caregiver Knowledge of Long-Term Services and Supports: Effects of Rurality and Support

Abstract Caregivers often lack knowledge regarding available long-term services and supports (LTSS). Certain barriers, such as rurality and levels of social support, may contribute to a lack of knowledge and accessibility of LTSS. The Caregiver Beginnings Workshop, held in 12 communities throughout 11 counties in Iowa, was a one-time educational session created to increase knowledge and awareness of LTSS. Data were collected from pre- and post-tests completed during the workshop (N = 98). To assess caregivers’ initial knowledge of LTSS, a hierarchical regression model was estimated to examine knowledge of LTSS in caregivers as predicted by caregiver education, number of health problems in care recipient, relationship type, feelings of social support, and rurality. Results showed that rurality (β = 0.33, p = 0.047) and infrequent or no support (β = -0.30, p = 0.02) were significant predictors (R2 = 0.21), indicating that caregivers living in rural areas reported higher knowledge of LTSS and those who reported infrequent or no support reported less knowledge. Additional analyses examined county-level data to better understand the availability of community resources in rural areas. County-level variables (e.g., number of home healthcare services, education level, income, health status) were included in a regression model to predict knowledge of LTSS. The results indicated that median income (β = -0.32, p = 0.002) and an educational attainment of an associate’s level degree or higher (β = -0.30, p = 0.004) were significant predictors. Discussion focuses on the importance of support and accessible resources for caregivers in all geographic areas.

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Predictors of change over time in subjective daytime sleepiness among older adult recipients of long-term services and supports

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220000782 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 849-861

Author(s):

Darina V. Petrovsky ◽

Karen B. Hirschman ◽

Miranda Varrasse McPhillips ◽

Justine S. Sefcik ◽

Alexandra L. Hanlon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Daily Living ◽

Services And Supports ◽

Over Time

ABSTRACTObjectives:Daytime sleepiness is associated with multiple negative outcomes in older adults receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS) including reduced cognitive performance, need for greater assistance with activities of daily living and decreased social engagement. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of change in subjective daytime sleepiness among older adults during their first 2 years of receiving LTSS.Design and Setting:Secondary analysis of data from a prospective longitudinal study of older adults who received LTSS in their homes, assisted living communities or nursing homes interviewed at baseline and every 3 months for 24 months.Participants:470 older adults (60 years and older) newly enrolled in LTSS (mean = 81, SD = 8.7; range 60–98; 71% women).Measurements:Subjective daytime sleepiness was assessed every 3 months through 2 years using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Multiple validated measures were used to capture health-related quality of life characteristics of enrollees and their environment, including symptom status (Symptom Bother Scale), cognition (Mini Mental Status Exam), physical function (Basic Activities of Daily Living), physical and mental general health, quality of life (Dementia Quality of Life, D-QoL), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale) and social support (Medical Outcomes Survey-Social Support).Results:Longitudinal mixed effects modeling was used to examine the relationship between independent variables and continuous measure of daytime sleepiness. Increased feelings of belonging, subscale of the D-QoL (effect size = −0.006, 95% CI: −0.013 to −0.0001, p = 0.045) and higher number of depressive symptoms (effect size = −0.002, 95% CI: −0.004 to −0.001, p = 0.001) at baseline were associated with slower rates of increase in daytime sleepiness over time.Conclusions:Comprehensive baseline and longitudinal screening for changes in daytime sleepiness along with depression and perceived quality of life should be used to inform interventions aimed at reducing daytime sleepiness among older adults receiving LTSS.

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CHANGE OVER TIME IN SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG OLDER ADULTS RECEIVING LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnv192.15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 55 (Suppl_2) ◽

pp. 451-451

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Change Over Time ◽

Services And Supports ◽

Over Time

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Social Support and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults Using Home Healthcare Services

American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry ◽

10.1097/01.jgp.0000218324.78202.25 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 758-766 ◽

Cited By ~ 102

Author(s):

Jennifer L. Rowe ◽

Yeates Conwell ◽

Herbert C. Schulberg ◽

Martha L. Bruce

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Home Healthcare

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ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ANXIETY IN OLDER ADULTS NEW TO LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.587 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S164-S164

Author(s):

Yeji Hwang ◽

Nancy Hodgson ◽

Justine Sefcik ◽

Augustine Boateng ◽

Anjali Rajpara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Social Supports ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Services And Supports

Abstract Anxiety symptoms are common among older adults and are often associated with adverse outcomes. Thus, it is important to examine modifiable factors and manage anxiety symptoms in this population. While many biological and psychological factors related to anxiety symptoms in older adults have been found, little is known about social factors which are essential in one’s mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among older adults new to long-term services and supports (LTSS) and to investigate the relationship between social support and presence of anxiety. This was a secondary data analysis from a study funded to examine health related quality of life in older adults new to LTSS. Anxiety was assessed using a single item, “Recently, how often have you felt anxious?” and the answers were dichotomized into “anxiety” (ratings: ‘very often’, ‘often’, ‘sometimes’, and ‘seldom’) and “no anxiety” (rating: ‘never’). Social support was measured by Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale. Prevalence of anxiety symptoms in this sample was 82.7% (n=225). In multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, LTSS type, cognitive status, physical and emotional health, and depressive symptoms, older adults with more tangible social supports had lower odds of having anxiety symptoms (Odds ratio=0.515; 95% CI: 0.289-0.919, p=0.025). Improving access to tangible social supports for older adults at the start of LTSS may impact anxiety in older adults. Implications for future research and intervention development to provide tangible social support to older adults in LTSS will be discussed.

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