scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARE CHALLENGE TYPE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES IN FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S916-S916
Author(s):  
Clarissa Shaw ◽  
Kristine N Williams ◽  
Maria Hein ◽  
Carissa Coleman ◽  
Yelena Perkhounkova

Abstract Enhancing dementia care is a public health priority and supporting family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD) is a critical need. This poster reports the relationships between the types of care challenges reported by family caregivers and their scores on psychosocial measures. Family caregivers (N=83) participating in the FamTechCare clinical trial identified three top priority care challenges and completed a series of measures (i.e., burden, depression, sleep quality, and reaction to dementia behaviors) at baseline. Priority care challenges were classified using the 10-category Technology-supported Dementia Care Typology. Three of the categories (i.e., behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia [BPSD], activities of daily living [ADL], and disease expectations [DE]) were reported by an adequate number of caregivers in order to test relationships with psychosocial measures using the Kruskal-Wallis Test. Caregivers reporting 2 or 3 BPSD challenges had higher burden (p=.007), more depression (p=.022) and worse sleep quality (p=.020) compared to those reporting 0 or 1 care challenges related to BPSD. In comparison, caregivers with 2 or 3 challenges related to DE (e.g., PLWD memory loss) had less burden (p=.008), less depression (p=.030), and better sleep quality (p=.042), compared to those reporting 0 or 1 challenge related to DE. Caregivers identifying 2 or 3 care challenges related to ADLs also reported higher levels of depression (p=.036). Dementia caregivers face vast caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers facing BPSD challenges report greater burden and depression. These results reinforce the need for tailored interventions to assist family caregivers in the managing varied care challenges.

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 590-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney A Polenick ◽  
Laura M Struble ◽  
Barbara Stanislawski ◽  
Molly Turnwald ◽  
Brianna Broderick ◽  
...  

Background and objectives Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are highly prevalent, stressful, and challenging to manage. Caregivers’ approaches for handling these behaviors have implications for both care partners’ well-being. Yet the specific strategies that caregivers use in their daily management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are relatively unknown. This study used in-depth focus group data to examine family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Design As part of a larger study (NINR R01NR014200), four focus groups were conducted with a total of 26 family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Caregivers were asked to describe the strategies they use to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Data from audio-recorded sessions were transcribed, coded to identify relevant concepts, and reduced to determine major categories. Results Caregivers managed behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia through (1) modifying interactions within the care dyad (e.g., simplifying communication); (2) modifying the care environment (e.g., using written prompts); (3) activity engagement; (4) humor; (5) self-care; and (6) social support. Conclusion Family caregivers manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using strategies to minimize stress and address the needs of both care partners. Caregivers’ own accounts of these approaches reveal a window into their everyday management of difficult behaviors. The present findings generate key information for routine clinical care and targeted interventions to promote caregiver well-being.


Author(s):  
Qazi Shafayetul Islam ◽  
Nasima Akter

Introduction: “The National Dementia Strategies” in Canada emphasizes improving the knowledge of formal and informal caregivers for better care for the person living with dementia. Aim: This study aimed at exploring awareness and the attitudes of South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers towards dementia care. Methods: It was purposive sampling and a qualitative study. The study included 45 family caregivers (>55 years) for the face-to-face interviews in Toronto, Ontario. The study used semi-structured questions. The duration of the data collection was between February and March 2020. Results: The study included the three areas related to dementia, such as a) the awareness of dementia, b: awareness of prevention and treatment as well as the awareness of caregivers about what is needed for better dementia care, and c) attitudes of caregivers towards dementia care. Many caregivers described dementia as memory loss and forgetfulness. According to the caregivers, anxiety, depression, and aging were the risk factors of dementia. The caregivers commonly perceived dementia as an unpreventable and incurable disease. Moreover, many caregivers did not know about the appropriate health providers who diagnosed and treated dementia, and they were not aware of non-pharmacological care of dementia. The caregivers perceived dementia as a shameful disease. They would not go for diagnosis if they had risks for dementia and would hide their dementia after diagnosis. Many caregivers confessed that training was essential to improve knowledge about dementia, but they did not want to be a caregiver for the person living with dementia. Conclusion: The South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers had not enough awareness about dementia, prevention, and treatment. Dementia was associated with shame, and they had less interest in dementia care. Urgent educational training is needed in their language to improve knowledge, reduce stigma, engage them in dementia care, and achieve the goals of the National Dementia Strategies.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 53-54
Author(s):  
Caitlin Connelly ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Yin Liu ◽  
Steven Zarit

Abstract Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are taxing for both the person with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers. Yet, little is known about how BPSD fluctuates throughout the day (i.e., morning, daytime, evening, and night; e.g., sundowning) and how caregivers perceive BPSD at different times of the day. Using 8-day daily diary data from 173 family caregivers whose relatives were using Adult Day Services (ADS), this study investigated temporal patterns of BPSD and caregivers’ stress responses to BPSD throughout the day. Overall, the number of BPSD was highest in the evening, and caregivers’ stress reactivity to BPSD increased throughout the phases of the day (i.e., most stressful at night). However, caregivers showed lower reactivity to BPSD in the mornings and at night on days when the PWD used ADS. Our findings about fluctuations of (caregiver reactions to) BPSD throughout the day suggest target windows for just-in-time adaptive intervention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S595-S595
Author(s):  
Richard E Chunga ◽  
Yin Liu ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Steven H Zarit

Abstract Providing care for persons with dementia (PWD) is frequently regarded as highly stressful, but how caregivers perceive care-related stressors depends on a variety of contexts. Research has demonstrated that relationship quality between the caregiver and receiver – as an important dyadic context – can influence the magnitude of this perceived distress. Using 8-day diary data from 173 family caregivers of PWD (day N = 1,359), this study examined the moderating effect of relationship quality on caregivers’ stress responses to daily behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), comparing within- and between-person effects. Multilevel models suggested differences in the association between BPSD occurrence and perceived distress of BPSD (i.e., negative within-person association, but positive between-person association). However, we found that both associations were moderated by relationship quality; that is, better dyadic relationship quality seemed to be protective against distress at both within- and between-person levels.


2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (S1) ◽  
pp. 63-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Gilley

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with a substantial reduction in life expectancy, and mortality has long been evaluated as part of the natural history of this progressive disease. Survival time also plays an important role in projecting the future public health costs of AD. There is now considerable evidence linking mortality in AD with the severity of cognitive impairment and the level of disability in common activities of daily living (Bowen et al., 1996; Jagger et al., 1995; Moritz et al., 1997); established predictors of mortality in AD are listed in Table 1. However, the relationship between mortality and other disease characteristics has received less attention.


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