An Assessment of Dementia Caregivers’ Interaction With Community-Based Services

Abstract Respite care is an important service to address caregivers' stress and fatigue when caring for a person with dementia (PWD). YouthCare is a non-medical, at-home, intergenerational respite care program that partners trained student volunteers with PWDs. The Family Caregiver Survey was created and distributed to caregivers of PWDs in Los Angeles to better understand interactions with the community and its caregiver services. The survey assesses caregivers’ demographics, daily activities, mental health, and the type of respite support needed. The survey findings (n=47) show that 53.2% of caregivers are 54 and older and 83% females. 40.4% of the caregivers listened to the radio primarily in the morning while 61.7% watched television in the afternoon to evening time. For transportation of PWDs to and from destinations, 78.3% of caregivers reported using their own vehicles. In regards to their mental health, 61.7% of the caregivers stated that they felt tired and unmotivated to complete daily activities. When asked why they sought respite services, 40% stated that they were overwhelmed by the responsibilities in addition to their own work. The groups that primarily support caregivers are family and professional respite services. Findings indicate that caregivers are most likely to trust resource recommendations from family and friends. Similar surveys should be administered in other cities and in rural locations to improve the generalizability of our findings.

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The Role of Family and Community in The Treatment of Mental Disorder Patients

Jurnal Ners dan Kebidanan (Journal of Ners and Midwifery) ◽

10.26699/jnk.v4i1.art.p001-005 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 001-005

Author(s):

Tutut Pujianto ◽

Retno Ardanari Agustin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Mental Disorder ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Family Role ◽

Health Treatment ◽

The Family ◽

The Individual

Mental health is an integral part of health, and a condition that affects the physical, mental, and social development of the individual optimally. Mental disorder is disturbances in: cognitive, volition, emotion (affective), and actions (psychomotor). Mental disorder is a collection of abnormal circumstances, whether physically related, or mentally. It is divided into two groups, namely: mental disorder (neurosis) and mental illness (psychosis). Mental disorder is caused by some of the above causes affected simultaneously or coincidence occurs. The purpose of this study was to increase the role of family and society in the treatment of mental disorder patients which was consequently could reduce the number of mental disorders patients This research used obsevational design with descriptive analy- sis. The subjects were family members who treat mental disorder patients as much as 16 respondents. The data collection was done in October 2012. The family role data grouped into appropriate and inappro- priate category. The research found that 11 people (68.75%) in the category of inappropriate, and appropriate by 5 people (31.25%), with average family role of 63.19%. The higher of inappropriate category was because 9 respondents (56.25%) in the age of elderly (> 50 years). This condition caused a decrease in the ability to perform daily activities, including health treatment. There were 4 patients who have been treated for 7-14 years, so the family feels accustomed to the condition of the patient. There were 8 people (50%) in productive age treated the patients, so it could not be done continuously. Based on these conditions, there should be efforts to increase knowledge and willingness of the patients and families, in caring for patients with mental disorders. The examples of such activities were to consult with the nearest health employees, and report to the health worker if there is a risky condition immedi- ately.

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Urban Mental Health Initiative: Developing Interdisciplinary Collaboration, the Role of the Family Physician in Management of Severe Mentally Ill Patients

Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology ◽

10.32598/ijpcp.27.1.2987.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 104-119

Author(s):

Seyed Kazem Malakouti ◽

◽

Amirabbas Keshavarz Akhlaghi ◽

Fatemeh Shirzad ◽

Vahid Rashedi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Family Physician ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Community Based ◽

Urban Mental Health ◽

The Family ◽

Community Based Services

Introduction: Mental health in Iran was approved in 1988. However, and then this program was integrated into the primary care system in our country and was implemented within the villagers' family physician program with great success. In urban areas, there is no structured health network. However, regarding the demographic changes in the country's population, huge sprawling of cities, and the changes in urban-rural population proportion, demands for a coherent plan to provide mental health services to the urban population are felt more than ever. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and establishment of a model of urban mental health network for severe psychiatric patients. Methods: This plan is based on resource reviews, Use the experiences of other countries, Model World Health Organization, The services available in the country currently run by the beneficiary organizations, Description of the responsibilities of the responsible organizations, Collaboration between the Ministry of Health and various organizations responsible for mental health, Having the views of national expert and international constant in this field from other countries cooperated with the aim of examining how to compile a coherent and integrated urban health service plan. This model is estimated by community-based services for 100,000 people. Results: The proposed model for providing immediate psychiatric services with greater cohesion and increasing training and skills capacity among staff 110, 115, 1480, and 123 services, as well as a space for hospitalization of 3 to 5 emergency patients next to the public hospital, is recommended. Depending on the number of patients in a population of 100,000, we will need community-based services, including 2 to 3 home visit teams to cover 80 patients per team, and 3 daily centers to provide services to 40 patients. If community-based services are provided, we will need 12 acute psychiatric beds and 5 beds for mid-term rehabilitation to provide inpatient services. In terms of employment and accommodation, 50 patients will need supported employment, respectively, and two apartments with an area of about 60 meters will be needed to accommodate about eight people. The provision of the above services requires the equal participation of the interested organizations. The family physician will play an essential role in continuing medical care for severe and mild psychiatric patients under the constant supervision of specialists Discussion and Conclusion: To achieve a better model of mental health services in cities that can cover a wide range of people in urban areas and at various levels from prevention and care to treatment and rehabilitation, we need the coordination between the organizations providing these services for the accurate planning of the interests of each organization, elimination of duplicate services, and saving human capital and resources of the country.

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DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF FAMILY PREPAREDNESS FOR FUTURE DEMENTIA CAREGIVING IN CHINESE FAMILIES

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1744 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S467-S467

Author(s):

Jacky C P Choy

Keyword(s):

Family Involvement ◽

Family Members ◽

Influential Factors ◽

Spousal Caregivers ◽

Chinese Society ◽

Dementia Caregivers ◽

Chinese Families ◽

Dementia Caregiving ◽

The Family ◽

Person With Dementia

Abstract Dementia is a growing health challenge that demands better public preparedness. Persons with dementia often lack the capacity to make and execute plans such that family involvement in care preparation becomes necessary. It is commonly observed in Chinese societies that there are more than one family members involved in the taking care of the person with dementia. The current qualitative study aims to understand preparedness for dementia caregiving of a family as unit in a Chinese society. In-depth interviews with 10 family units of dementia caregivers were conducted. Participants (4 spousal caregivers; 44 to 80 years old; mean years of caregiving: 3.3) reflected on how prepared their families were before the caregiving began. Thematic analysis was applied to examine the family preparedness and the family dynamics throughout the caregiving journey. As opposed to a crisis-driven involvement, involvement of more family members before crisis was helpful for reducing the damage brought to the family. Furthermore, families that could align their expectation and understanding of the situation, share knowledge and resources, negotiate the allocation of caregiving duties, and provide emotional support among family members were more likely to provide proper care with minimal sacrifice in family wellbeing. Chinese families often worked as a caregiving team, yet, with uneven distribution of caregiving duties and a lack of proper communication to sustain their caregiving role healthily. Timing and quality of family involvement were more influential factors than family resources to successful adaptation to caregiving.

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Occupational Therapy Innovations in Home and Community Practice for People Living With Dementia

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2766 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 766-766

Author(s):

Catherine Piersol ◽

Scott Trudeau

Keyword(s):

Occupational Therapy ◽

Well Being ◽

Occupational Therapist ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Community Practice ◽

Behavioral Challenges ◽

Care Partners ◽

Person With Dementia ◽

Skill Building ◽

Community Based Services

Abstract Most Americans with dementia live at home and families are commonly responsible for overseeing the daily activities of the person with dementia. Families require support, education, and skill-building to manage caregiving responsibilities. Occupational therapist are ideally suited to teach care partners tailored strategies for obtaining the “just right fit” between the capacities of the person and the demands of the environment, thus reducing behavioral symptoms, optimizing function and safety and enhancing well-being. Care of Persons with Dementia in their Environments (COPE) is an evidence-based intervention designed to address these outcomes. Over three phases, the occupational therapist employs a problem-solving method to identify strategies that address caregiver-reported difficulties related to managing daily activities, behavioral challenges and other caregiver concerns. This presentation describes the development and implementation of COPE highlighting the distinct approaches of occupational therapy in delivering home- and community-based services to persons living with dementia and their care partners.

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Dual Caregivers of Relatives with Dementia in Rural Virginia: The Added Stress of COVID-19

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3453 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 943-943

Author(s):

Emily Hoyt ◽

Jyoti Savla ◽

Karen Roberto ◽

Aubrey L Knight ◽

Rosemary Blieszner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Life ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Daily Stressors ◽

Community Based ◽

Dementia Caregivers ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

And Behavior ◽

Behavior Models ◽

Community Based Services

Abstract Family caregivers often find themselves “sandwiched” between caring for an older relative with dementia (PWD) and another person. Serving in a dual caregiving role presents unique challenges and has consequences for caregivers’ physical and mental health. Seven daily diary interviews with 46 dual dementia caregivers assessed their daily stressors and informal and formal supports. Results showed that dementia caregivers who also cared for another older relative reported poorer physical health and used more community-based services to care for the PwD. Conversely, dementia caregivers who also cared for younger relatives reported greater secondary stressors, lower family support, and use of fewer community-based services to care for the PwD. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, two telephone interviews were conducted with 15 dual dementia caregivers. Caregivers were asked in-depth questions about how the pandemic had impacted their caregiving responsibilities, mental health, and use of community-based services. Guided by stress process and behavior models, a thematic analysis of dual caregivers’ interviews revealed that caregivers had less time for themselves, engaged in self-care activities less often, and felt their social life had suffered. Many of the caregivers reported feeling exhausted, stressed, and had more things to do than they could handle. Of the eight caregivers that used services before COVID-19, six experienced a change in services including loss of services, different workers, or self-selected cancellation of services. Discussion focuses on challenges dual dementia caregivers face and the added stressors they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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