scholarly journals The Other Caregivers: Informal Non-Spousal Male Caregivers for Persons With Dementia

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 800-800
Author(s):  
Gretchen Tucker

Abstract Informal caregivers for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) have become an integral part of the long-term health care system. They are relied on to provided day-to-day care that is challenging, complex, and often spans several years. Most of the research on informal caregivers for persons with ADRD have focused on spousal caregiving, mother-daughter dyads, and daughters. There is sparse literature on informal non-spousal male caregivers for persons with ADRD. The objective of this research was to obtain an understanding of the experiences of informal non-spousal male caregivers for persons with ADRD. This descriptive qualitative pilot study consisted of in-depth one-on-one interviews with three informal non-spousal male caregivers for persons with ADRD. Four themes emerged through data analysis: 1) the male perspective and experience of caregiving, 2) relationship dynamics, 3) caregiving challenges, and 4) finding meaning within caregiving. Conclusion: Similar to other caregivers, informal non-spousal male caregivers assisted with transportation, managing medical appointments, as well as bathing and personal care. Differences with other caregivers, specifically female caregivers, emerged in terms of descriptions of traditional versus non-traditional gender roles. The implications of this study are that public policies, support services and medical professionals need to understand and be able to address the different experiences and needs of informal non-spousal male caregivers.

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-159
Author(s):  
Rosângela Simões Gundim ◽  
Chao Lung Wen

We have investigated the factors which make telemedicine centres sustainable. A pilot study was carried out at two university telemedicine centres in Brazil: the Faculty of Odontology and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of São Paulo. Both centres were supported by long-term government grants. One centre delivered clinical telemedicine services in audiology and odontology, and the other centre delivered clinical services in dermatology, surgery, cardiology, medicine and second-opinions for primary care. A semi-structured interview script was drawn up and after consensus among four referees, interviews were carried out with one telemedicine coordinator from each centre. Analysis of the results showed that telemedicine sustainability is a multidimensional matter, not simply a financial one. The results of the interviews led us to refine our construct of telemedicine sustainability into seven different macro-group perspectives. These were: Institutional, Functional, Scientific, Financial, Renovation, Relational and Social. This construct allowed us to convert strategic and logical factors into a graphical representation. This graphical representation provides a snapshot of the performance of a telemedicine centre at a particular moment. The next step is to create a theoretical model of sustainability for testing in ten other centres in different regions of Brazil, including Amazonia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A733-A734
Author(s):  
Priyanka Ghosh ◽  
Zorkot Zeinab ◽  
Selma Feldman Witchel ◽  
Meredith Snook ◽  
Svetlana Yatsenko

Abstract Background Turner Syndrome (TS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality seen in females and is often diagnosed in childhood. The transition of patients with TS from pediatric to adult providers is characterized by inconsistency. As such, limited data are available to assess long term health outcomes of women with TS. Objectives: 1) To evaluate the long term health outcomes in women with TS followed at a single academic institution and 2) to establish clinical recommendations for evaluation, counseling, and planned transition of this population. Methods: A retrospective pilot study was performed by examining medical records of women with TS who presented with short stature or delayed puberty and were diagnosed with TS on the basis of cytogenetic analysis. Patients with monosomy X, mosaic monosomy X, or X chromosome structural abnormalities consistent with TS or mosaic TS diagnosis were included. Medical records from an academic children’s hospital and an affiliated women’s hospital were reviewed. Results: To date, 15 females aged 26-32 years were identified. Electronic records were available for 12/15 with age at diagnosis ranging from in utero to 15 years of age. Those with pediatric information available had documentation addressing use of growth hormone and pubertal hormone replacement therapies. Of the 12 patients, 11 had cardiac imaging performed; only one had an MRI. Consistent planned transition to adult health care providers was not evident. Of the 12 patients, 3 had consultation with a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist; 3 had a diagnosis of anxiety or depression; 3 had a DEXA scan done (1 had osteopenia); 5 had dyslipidemia; and 2 developed insulin resistance. Conclusions: This pilot study confirms heterogeneity in practice patterns and variable interactions of women with TS with the healthcare system, especially as patients enter adulthood. Although some women were referred to subspecialists, our initial data uncover patient uncertainty about healthcare and transition recommendations. Our preliminary data indicate the need for early patient education in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary fashion. We plan to validate and extend our initial findings by reviewing additional medical records. Ultimately, we plan for expanded education, consistent surveillance recommendations, and planned transition of patients with TS from pediatrics to adult caregivers.


2000 ◽  
Vol 58 (2A) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARLEIDE DA MOTA GOMES

INTRODUCTION: People with epilepsy (PWE) may have problems in obtaining or maintaining regular employment because of restrictions related to their handicap, social prejudices and also high rates of unemployment of the population. The main aim of this pilot study was to know the vocational rehabilitation problems involving PWE sent to a vocational rehabilitation center (VRC) in Rio de Janeiro. METHOD: Fifteen PWE were selected unbiased from those seen at the VCR. It was reviewed their records in the search of sociodemographic, health care, employment suitability and work rehabilitation data. RESULTS: Only one person was eligible for the training program, four were ineligible, six were temporarily ineligible, and the other four do not necessitate the rehabilitation, but as the majority, the better seizures control. CONCLUSIONS: The studied sample of selected PWE, but representative of the studied population, do not show any important successful in the vocational rehabilitation carried out at the VRC.


Author(s):  
I. Kuznetsov ◽  
E. Panidi ◽  
V. Korovka ◽  
A. Yakovlenko

Abstract. This article is aimed at expanding and deepening knowledge in GIS analysis for medical professionals. Key task of described research is to elaborate a methodology of 3D mapping and visualization of the multiflat buildings in order to study most socially valuable diseases on the apartment scale in the St. Petersburg city. The use of this methodology allows to avoid the aggregation of geographical information within one building, and, on the other hand, allows to move from a general assessment of the prevalence of the disease to specific cases. In this case, the methodology is considered as primary health care support. The paper describes elaborated approach to detailed 3D mapping of multiple disease hotbeds in multiflat buildings. Main benefit of the proposed set of data processing and mapping techniques is the capability of apartment-scale connectivity evaluation of the hotbeds inside multiflat buildings.


Author(s):  
Lindsay Solera-Deuchar ◽  
Mahmoud I. Mussa ◽  
Suleiman A. Ali ◽  
Haji J. Haji ◽  
Peter McGovern

Abstract Background This qualitative pilot study aimed to establish views of traditional and biomedical practitioners towards collaboration between the two sectors on the treatment of people with mental illness in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Methods Six traditional healers (known as “waganga” in Swahili) and six nurses working in government secondary mental health services were invited to participate in a series of focus group discussions (FGDs). Two sets of FGDs took place approximately seven weeks apart. In each set, FGDs were conducted with traditional healers only, nurses only, and finally nurses and traditional healers together. FGDs were conducted in Swahili, audio-recorded and then translated to English by an independent translator and coded thematically using NVivo software. Results All participants expressed that they were in favour of collaboration between traditional and biomedical practitioners on mental healthcare. Opinions varied regarding what form this collaboration should take. For many nurses and healers, there was acknowledgement of the role of the other group in providing treatment for people with mental illness, with support for the idea of bi-directional referrals between the two sectors. For some nurses, the value of collaboration would be purely in the education of traditional healers in the recognition of mental illness, with subsequent referral to biomedical services. For some traditional healers, the idea of collaboration seemed to appeal in part because of a perceived opportunity to learn additional skills from biomedical practitioners. Both categories of participant expressed a belief that patients possessed by a jinn (a spirit) or those that had been bewitched needed treatment by traditional healers. On the other hand, those with what participants considered to be “mental illness” needed treatment at the hospital clinic. However, some nurses felt that that traditional healers might be able to provide helpful treatment for mental illness, as well as those suspected to be affected by jinn or witchcraft. There was agreement on the need to establish clear referral pathways between the two service providers. The creation of an office for traditional healers at the hospital was an area where there was disagreement among participants. Conclusions We conclude that there is a positive view of collaboration among traditional healers and nurses who participated, and a willingness to work towards actual collaboration. The results suggest that views vary as to what form this collaboration should take, with opinions differing between nurses, as well as between traditional healers. Additional work is needed in order to further explore the nature of potential collaboration and extend the research to the wider population of traditional and biomedical practitioners in Zanzibar, to include primary health care workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-175
Author(s):  
Danica Rotar Pavlič ◽  
Alem Maksuti ◽  
Aleksandra Panić ◽  
Klara Pavleković

Abstract Background Slovenia is an aging society. Social security expenditures for the elderly are rising steadily, and the majority of Slovenians are firmly convinced that the state must provide elder care. This situation means that informal caregivers face many challenges and problems in their altruistic mission. Objectives To explore the experiences and feelings of informal caregivers and to provide an understanding of how informal caregivers support the elderly and what challenges and difficulties they face in Slovenian society. Methods The study is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with 10 caregivers. In addition to descriptive statistics, we conducted a qualitative study using the qualitative content analysis method. Results We identified four themes among health caregivers’ experiences with challenges and problems in providing long-term health care for the elderly. Caregivers pointed out that they are mostly left to themselves and their altruistic mission of giving informal long-term care to their elderly relatives and friends. Systemic regulation of the national public health care system is the source of many problems. Conclusion Other social systems determine and limit the position of informal caregivers in Slovenia. This qualitative study should be understood as useful stepping-stone to future research and real improvement in this area.


GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Oedekoven ◽  
Katja Amin-Kotb ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Klaus Balke ◽  
Adelheid Kuhlmey ◽  
...  

Abstract. We investigated the association between the education of informal caregivers’ (IC) and their physical and mental burden. We hypothesized that better-educated IC would have more resources available to manage the care situation and as a result show lower perceived burden. We conducted a population survey of 6,087 German residents aged 18+ years, 966 of whom reported to be IC. Results show that IC felt more often mentally than physically burdened. In the multivariate analyses, higher-educated IC did not have lower odds of feeling physically burdened than lower-educated IC, though they did have increased odds of feeling mentally burdened. The higher perceived mental burden of higher-educated IC may be related to fear of loss of self-fulfilment and autonomy. Support services should consider the mental burden of higher-educated IC and tailor their interventions accordingly.


2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Navaie-Waliser ◽  
Aubrey L. Spriggs ◽  
Penny H. Feldman

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