scholarly journals Predicting Depression in Dementia Caregivers: Do Religious/Spiritual Struggles Play a Role?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 864-864
Author(s):  
Elizabeth MacDougall
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Spiritual Struggle ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Dementia Caregiver ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health ◽  
Spiritual Struggles ◽  
Clinically Significant

Abstract Using a stress process framework model, this study is the first to comprehensively examine the role that religious/spiritual struggles play in the lives of informal dementia caregivers. A convenience sample of 156 informal dementia caregivers completed a scale measuring six domains of religious/spiritual struggles, as well as other measures of primary stressors, background/contextual variables, and mental health outcome (depression). Overall levels of religious/spiritual struggle were low, but 26 percent of the sample were classified as possible cases of clinically significant religious/spiritual struggle for at least one of the six domains. Of this group, 49 percent acknowledged struggles with ultimate meaning. Religious/spiritual struggles predicted greater self-reported depression over and above number of care recipient problem behaviors (primary stressor), caregiver sex, and caregiver personality (i.e., emotional stability). Although no individual domain of religious/spiritual struggle emerged as most salient, caregivers reported significantly more ultimate meaning struggles than demonic or interpersonal struggles. These findings support the growing body of research suggesting that religious/spiritual struggles serve as a secondary stressor, adding predictive power to background/contextual factors and to primary stressors for informal dementia caregiver mental health outcomes. Further research in this area may advance efforts to better equip both secular and religious professionals to provide evidence-based counsel to informal dementia caregivers.

scholarly journals Different Statistical Approaches to Develop a Guideline for Improvement of Caregiver’s Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 858-859
Author(s):  
Amanda Leggett ◽  
Hyun Jung Koo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Regression Tree ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
National Study ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Emotional Difficulty ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health ◽  
Tree Models

Abstract Caregiver burden is common, and improvement of caregivers’ mental health could lead to better quality of care and well-being for both caregivers and care recipients. We investigate ways to develop a guideline to enhance caregiver’s mental well-being by applying and comparing regression tree and ensemble tree models. Data comes from the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. Dementia caregivers’ (n=945) aspects of caregiving, care activities, support environment, and participation along with basic demographics and health are considered. First, insignificant predictors are preselected using linear regression with backward selection, which will not be included in the tree models. Using the predetermined predictors that are not excluded in the backward selection method, regression tree and ensemble tree models are generated to predict emotional difficulty of caregivers. The regression tree with the preselected predictors predicts caregivers with low to moderate levels of overload and high levels of joy being with their care recipient associated with the lowest level of emotional difficulty. On the other hand, if caregivers have high levels of overload and low to moderately high levels of positive affect, this is linked with the highest level of emotional difficulty. Ensemble tree models showed similar results with lower error measures. Using tree-based methods can help determine the most important predictors of caregiver mental health. Easily interpretable results with applicable decision rules can provide a guideline for intervention developers.

scholarly journals SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN DEMENTIA CAREGIVER WELL-BEING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S434-S434
Author(s):  
Chelsea Liu ◽  
Adrian Badana ◽  
Julia Burgdorf ◽  
Chanee D Fabius ◽  
William E Haley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Dementia Caregiver ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Physical Outcomes

Abstract Studies comparing racial/ethnic differences on psychological and physical outcomes of dementia caregivers have often reported differences in well-being for minority groups compared to Whites. However, due to issues with enrolling minorities into studies, recruitment methods often differ for minority and White participants and may lead to biased comparisons. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine racial/ethnic differences in dementia caregiver outcomes and to determine whether any differences vary among studies with population-based samples compared to convenience samples. We systematically reviewed articles with primary data from PubMed, Google Scholar and PsycINFO, and included studies comparing either African American (AA) or Hispanic/Latino dementia caregivers to White caregivers on measures of psychological health (e.g. depression, anxiety, burden) and physical health (e.g. self-rated health, cardiovascular measures, stress biomarkers). Reviewers screened titles and abstracts, reviewed full texts and conducted risk-of-bias assessments. A total of 207 effects were extracted from 40 studies. Random-effects models showed that Hispanics/Latinos reported significantly lower levels of well-being than Whites (ps < .05) for both psychological outcomes (37 effects) and physical outcomes (15 effects), while AAs were not significantly different from Whites in either domain. No differences were observed for population-based studies (N=3; 23 effects) or convenience-sample studies (N=37; 184 effects). Although some previous studies with convenience samples found better psychological well-being in AA caregivers, that pattern was not confirmed in our meta-analysis. Additional analyses for the different indicators of well-being and the relationship of quality ratings to effect sizes will be discussed along with implications for future research.

Blessing or Burden: Transitions Into Eldercare and Caregiver Mental Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110428
Author(s):  
Jeremy Reynolds ◽  
Katie James
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Women Caregivers ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Social ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health ◽  
Labor Dynamics

Caring for one’s parents can be good or bad for mental health. Guided by theories suggesting that caregiving work brings both demands and benefits, we examine if mental health outcomes depend on variations in caregiving arrangements. Using waves 5–17 from the Household Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia Survey (16,802 respondents; 115,176 person-years), we divide men and women caregivers into four groups based on their responsibility (main vs. secondary caregiver) and the location of the care recipient (inside or outside the caregiver’s household). We also examine how caregivers’ experiences are moderated by the social support they have. On average, caregivers experience no change in mental health. However, women with low social support who become main caregivers for resident parents experience declines in mental health. Men with low social support who become main caregivers for non-resident parents experience improved mental health. These results suggest that caregiver outcomes reflect different caregiving arrangements.

Structural equation model linking dementia cognitive functioning, caregiver mental health, burden, and quality of informal care in Argentina

Dementia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 766-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Morlett Paredes ◽  
Paul B Perrin ◽  
Silvina V Peralta ◽  
Miriam E Stolfi ◽  
Eliana Morelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Structural Equation Model ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Dementia Caregiver ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health

The purpose of this study was to create a path model linking cognitive functioning in individuals with dementia, caregiver burden and mental health, and quality of care provided for the individual with dementia in Argentina. One hundred and two dementia caregivers from San Lucas, Argentina completed questionnaires assessing these constructs. Regressions found that caregiver burden, depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life explained 18.8% of the variance in quality of care—respect and 14.7% of the variance in quality of care—provide. A structural equation model with generally adequate fit indices uncovered that cognitive functioning in individuals with dementia was inversely associated with caregiver burden, caregiver burden was inversely associated with mental health, and mental health was positively associated with quality of care. Further, patient cognitive functioning yielded a significant indirect effect on caregiver mental health through caregiver burden, as did burden on quality of care through mental health. Despite this negative cascade, these relationships may also be reversed with the development and use of dementia caregiver interventions that improve caregiver burden and mental health and as a result, the quality of care for individuals with dementia in Latin America.

scholarly journals The Breaking Point: Family Dementia Caregivers’ Recognition of the Need to Intervene

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 153-153
Author(s):  
Candace Harrington ◽  
Cheryl Dean-Witt ◽  
Frances Hardin-Fanning
Keyword(s):  
Early Recognition ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Role Identity ◽  
Breaking Point ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Life Transition ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Rural Agriculture ◽  
Dementia Caregiver

Abstract Family dementia caregivers are an under-recognized and valuable geriatric workforce whose services have broad implications for health care systems. Family dementia caregivers may experience uncertainty, loss of role identity, involuntary role assumption, or undesirable life transitions. Subsequent unintentional mistreatment or abuse of their family care recipient may occur. Approximately 50% of caregivers admit to some form of mistreatment of their loved one who lives with dementia. Using Selder’s (1989) life transition theory, this qualitative study explored family members’ life transition process toward their new role identities as family dementia caregivers to better understand the personal and historical contexts of caregiving. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants to answer the questions: How does one acquire the role of primary family dementia caregiver?” and “How do personal and historical contexts inform the family dementia caregiver role?” Richness of data drove our sample size. Epistemological integrity ensured trustworthiness and rigor. A modification of Colaizzi’s (1978) analytic method was used for interpretative phenomenological analysis. The emergent themes uncovered by participants’ statements included: “It’s my turn”, “the breaking point”, and “a fine line” with the subtheme “balancing dignity and safety”. Participants described their introspective journeys toward a changed reality as family dementia caregivers. Our findings suggested the need for early recognition and vigilance to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of those with dementia. Rural agriculture-based family caregivers in our study described unique and challenging characteristics. Further research is needed to explore the implications of these contextual nuances for rural agriculture-based family dementia caregivers.

scholarly journals The Dyadic Effects of Perceived Support on Depression in Spousal Care Partners

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 354-354
Author(s):  
Kylie Meyer ◽  
Neela Patel ◽  
Carole White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Perceived Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health ◽  
Caregiver Interventions

Abstract Relationship quality is an important factor affecting care partners’ health and wellbeing. Supportive marital relationships are associated with better physical and subjective health, whereas strain is associated with poorer health. Recent studies now indicate a dyadic effect of relationship quality on health outcomes, such that an individual’s perceptions of their relationship also affects their partner’s outcomes. Few studies have examined the dyadic effects of relationship quality on mental health among older cognitively intact caregiving couples. To address the lack of dyadic research about how perceived support from one’s spouse related to experiences of depression for individuals and their care partners, we apply cross-sectional actor partner interdependence models (APIMs) to data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (N=490 dyads). APIM regression models controlled for participant demographic characteristics, relationship length, and care recipient functional ability. Findings showed that positive perceived support from a spouse had a stronger negative association with one’s own depression for care recipients than for caregivers. Similarly, greater negative perceived support from a partner was associated with higher levels of depression; whether the partner was the caregiver or care recipient did not make a difference in this model. Although there are hundreds of caregiver interventions to address caregivers’ mental health, few have demonstrated improvement in care recipient outcomes. Observation of both actor and partner effects in this study suggests there may be opportunities to improve care recipient and caregiver mental health by targeting interventions to promote high quality relationships with caregivers or both members of the care dyad.

“Care to Plan”: Delivering Personalized Recommendations to Support Caregivers of People Living with Dementia (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinhee Cha ◽  
Colleen M. Peterson ◽  
Ashley N Millenbah ◽  
Katie Louwagie ◽  
Zachary G Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Dementia Caregiver ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Additional Support

BACKGROUND Estimates suggest that 6.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2021 and by 2060, that number could more than double to 13.8 million. As a result, public health officials anticipate a greater need for caregivers for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (ADRD), as well as support resources for both people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. Despite the growing need for dementia caregiver support services, there is a lack of consensus regarding how to tailor these services to best meet the heterogeneous needs of individual caregivers. To fill this gap, “Care To Plan” (CtP), an online tool for caregivers of PLWD, was developed to provide tailored support recommendations to dementia caregivers. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to formally explore the feasibility, acceptability and utility of CtP for 20 family members of PLWD within a health system over a one month time period using a mixed methods parallel convergent design. METHODS A moderately sized health system in the mid-Atlantic region was selected as the site for CtP implementation where 20 caregivers who were family members of PLWD were enrolled. The web-based CtP tool was used directly by caregivers and facilitated by a healthcare professional (i.e., a “senior care navigator”/SCN). Caregivers were given a 21-item review checklist to assess barriers and facilitators associated with reviewing CtP with a SCN. Following the 21-item review checklist, semi-structured telephone interviews, which included 18 open-ended questions, focused on the facilitators and barriers to CtP implementation and recommendations for future implementation. RESULTS Quantitative results suggested that 76.5% and 85.7% of caregivers agreed or strongly agreed that after using the tool they were able to find a service that would meet their needs and those of their care recipient, respectively. Qualitative analysis identified four themes regarding facilitators and barriers to implementation: 1) caregiver factors, 2) SCN factors, 3) CtP tool system factors, and 4) recommendations and resources factors. CONCLUSIONS Care to Plan was not only found to be feasible, but a valuable tool for caregivers seeking resources for themselves as well as their PLWD. Longer-term evaluation findings aim to generate results as to how CtP can be integrated into care plans for caregivers and how SCNs can provide additional support for caregivers for PLWD over an extended period of time.

scholarly journals Professional discipline and support recommendations for family caregivers of persons with dementia

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 1029-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E. Gaugler ◽  
Bonnie L. Westra ◽  
Robert L. Kane
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Professional Discipline ◽  
Dementia Caregiver ◽  
Caregiver Interventions

ABSTRACTBackground:Family caregivers of persons with dementia often require support services to help ease the challenges of providing care. Although the efficacy of some dementia caregiver interventions seems apparent, evidence indicating which types of protocols can best meet the diverse needs of individual families is not yet available. Because of this gap, families must often turn to professionals for such guidance, but it remains unknown whether professionals from different disciplines are more inclined to recommend particular types of services than others. This study assessed whether recommendations of supportive interventions to hypothetical dementia family caregivers differed by professional discipline.Methods:In a cross-sectional survey design, a convenience sample of 422 dementia care professionals across the USA viewed up to 24 randomly selected, hypothetical scenarios that systematically varied characteristics of persons with dementia and their caregivers. For each scenario, 7 possible intervention recommendations were rated. A total of 6,890 scenarios were rated and served as the unit of analysis.Results:General linear models revealed that discipline was often a stronger predictor of how likely professionals were to recommend dementia caregiver interventions than caregiver, care recipient, or other professional characteristics. Psychotherapists tended to recommend psychoeducation more than other professionals, while those in medicine were more likely to recommend training of the person with dementia and psychotherapy.Conclusions:The heterogeneity in recommendations suggests that the professional source of information influences the types of support families are directed toward. Empirical evidence should inform these professional judgments to better achieve person-centered care for families.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Training and Mental Health among Caregivers of Individuals with Polytrauma

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lillian Flores Stevens ◽  
Treven C. Pickett ◽  
Kathryn P. Wilder Schaaf ◽  
Brent C. Taylor ◽  
Amy Gravely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Caregiver Training ◽  
Measurement Information ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health

This was a hypothesis-generating exploration of relationships between caregiver training during TBI/polytrauma rehabilitation and caregiver mental health. In this cross-sectional study, 507 informal caregivers to US service members with TBI who received inpatient rehabilitation care in a Veterans Affairs’ Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center from 2001 to 2009 completed a retrospective, self-report survey. Embedded in the survey were measures of caregiver mental health, including the National Institutes of Health’s Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety and Depression Short Forms, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Zarit Burden Short Form. Though no groups endorsed clinical levels, mental health symptoms varied by caregiver training category (Trained, Not Trained, and Did Not Need Training). Caregivers who did not receive training on how to navigate healthcare systems endorsed higher depression and burden and lower self-esteem than those who did. Caregivers who did not receive training in supporting their care recipients’ emotions endorsed higher anxiety, depression, and burden and lower self-esteem than those who did. Analyses also suggested a different association between training and mental health based on caregivers’ relationship to the care recipient and the intensity of care recipient needs. Potential hypotheses for testing in future studies raised by these findings are discussed.

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