Validity and Reliability of the Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC) Scale and Development of Its Shorter Version (S-PAC) Among Family Caregivers of Older Adults

Background: Post-acute home health-care (HHC) services provide a unique opportunity to train and support family caregivers of older adults returning home after a hospitalization. To enhance family-focused training and support strategies, we must first understand caregivers’ experiences. Objective: To explore caregivers’ experiences regarding training and support for managing older adults’ physical functioning (PF) needs in the post-acute HHC setting. Method: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured telephone interviews of 20 family caregivers. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: We identified the following primary categories: facilitators to learning (eg, past experience, learning methods), barriers to learning (eg, learning on their own, communication, timing/logistics, preferred information and timing of information delivery), and interactions with HHC providers (eg, positive/negative interactions, provider training and knowledge). Conclusion: Caregivers were responsive to learning strategies to manage older adults’ PF needs and, importantly, voiced ideas to improve family-focused training and support. HHC providers can use these findings to tailor training and support of family caregivers in the post-acute HHC setting.

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Structural equation model of affecting factors on elder abuse to patients under hemodialysis by family caregivers

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02291-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amaneh Mahmoudian ◽

Abbas Shamsalinia ◽

Atefeh Alipour ◽

Zahra Fotoukian ◽

Fatemeh Ghaffari

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Structural Equation Model ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Equation Model ◽

Care Burden ◽

Beta Coefficient ◽

Fit Index

Abstract Background The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of older adults with hemodialysis (HD) abuse by family caregivers and the factors affecting it. Method This is a correlational-causal study, which is conducted in 2018 in Iran. The sample size was 367 in both groups (the older adults and their family caregivers). Data collection was done using an individual-social information questionnaire for the older adults under hemodialysis and their family caregivers, the questionnaire of elder abuse by family caregivers to the older people under hemodialysis, Zarit Burden Interview and the scale of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Data were analyzed by the structural equation model (SEM) method. The Fitness of proposed pattern was measured using the following indexes: chi-square/degree of freedom ratio (CMIN/DF), Normed Fit Index (NFI), comparative fit index (CFI), goodness of fit index (GFI), and standardized root mean squared residual (SRMR). The significant level in this study was considered p < 0.05. Results The results of the present study showed that more than 70 % of the older adults suffer from elder abuse by family caregivers on average. The highest median elder abuse was related to emotional misbehavior (21.46 ± 6.09) and financial misbehavior (19.07 ± 5.33), respectively. Moderate care burden was experienced by 63.2 % of caregivers. The percentage of older women and men, who needed help with daily activities was 81.4 and 80.5 %, respectively. The results showed that the caregivers’ level of education and care burden with standard beta coefficient of -0.251 and 0.200 and the educational level of older adults and IADL with the best beta coefficient of -0.299 and − 0.234, had the highest regression effect on elder abuse respectively. According to the results, the model-fit indices of the hypothesized model was meet the criteria, with the NFI = 0.951, GFI = 0.970, CFI = 0.967, and SRMR = 0.041. The outcome was suitable for the recommended level, so the hypothetical model appeared to fit the data. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that the prevalence of elder abuse by family caregivers among the older adults under hemodialysis is high. Providing psychological counseling can reduce the consequences of elder abuse.

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Association between Family Caregivers and Depressive Symptoms among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics ◽

10.1016/j.archger.2021.104468 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104468

Author(s):

Taiji Noguchi ◽

Takahiro Hayashi ◽

Yuta Kubo ◽

Naoki Tomiyama ◽

Akira Ochi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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The Challenges of Recruiting and Retaining Dyads of Hospitalized Persons With Dementia and Their Family Carers

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2733 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 758-758

Author(s):

Marie Boltz ◽

Ashley Kuzmik

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Hospital Environment ◽

Family Carers ◽

Retention Strategies ◽

Recruitment And Retention ◽

Team Meetings ◽

Partnership Model ◽

Cluster Randomized

Abstract Persons with dementia (PWD) have high rates of hospitalization, and along with their family caregivers (FCGs), commonly experience negative hospital experiences and outcomes. The recruitment and retention challenges encountered in an ongoing cluster randomized clinical trial in PWDs and FCGs are described. The trial tests the efficacy of a nurse-FCG partnership model that aims to improve: 1) the physical and cognitive recovery in hospitalized PWD, and 2) FCG preparedness and anxiety. Recruitment and retention challenges, identified in team meetings and extracted from team documentation,.include factors in the hospital environment, the PWD, and FCGs. Strategies that address these challenges include careful pre-planning and preparation with the site, strong communication with dyads, and honoring preferences for communication. The recruitment and retention of acutely ill older adults with dementia and FCGs can pose a challenge to investigators and threaten the validity of findings. Recruitment and retention strategies that help improve validity are described

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The Socialization of Unpaid Family Caregivers: A Scoping Review

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/01640275211005092 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 016402752110050

Author(s):

Kirstie McAllum ◽

Mary Louisa Simpson ◽

Christine Unson ◽

Stephanie Fox ◽

Kelley Kilpatrick

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Family Caregiving ◽

Family Processes ◽

Future Research ◽

Socialization Process ◽

Role Negotiation ◽

Role Learning ◽

Socialization Agents

As unpaid family caregiving of older adults becomes increasingly prevalent, it is imperative to understand how family caregivers are socialized and how they understand the caregiving role. This PRISMA-ScR-based scoping review examines the published literature between 1995–2019 on the socialization of potential and current unpaid family caregivers of older adults. Of 4,599 publications identified, 47 were included. Three perspectives of socialization were identified: (1) role acculturation; (2) role negotiation and identification; and (3) specialized role learning. The findings show how socialization involves different contexts (e.g., cultures), imperatives for action (e.g., circumstances), socialization agents (e.g., family), processes (e.g., modeling), and internal (e.g., normalization) and external (e.g., identification) consequences for caregivers. Future research could fruitfully explore how caregivers manage key turning points within the socialization process, disengage from the caregiving role, and negotiate the socialization and individualization processes within diverse cultural and funding contexts.

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A Clinical Bridge between Family Caregivers and Older Adults: The Contribution of Patients’ Frailty and Optimism on Caregiver Burden

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3406

Author(s):

Alberto Sardella ◽

Vittorio Lenzo ◽

Angela Alibrandi ◽

Antonino Catalano ◽

Francesco Corica ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Caregiver Burden ◽

Frailty Index ◽

Dispositional Optimism ◽

Related Factors ◽

Life Orientation Test ◽

Life Orientation ◽

Frailty Status ◽

Personal Time

The association between caregiver burden and the physical frailty of older adults has been the object of previous studies. The contribution of patients’ dispositional optimism on caregiver burden is a poorly investigated topic. The present study aimed at investigating whether older adults’ multidimensional frailty and optimism might contribute to the burden of their family caregivers. The Caregiver Burden Inventory was used to measure the care-related burden of caregivers. The multidimensional frailty status of each patient was evaluated by calculating a frailty index, and the revised Life Orientation Test was used to evaluate patients’ dispositional optimism. The study involved eighty family caregivers (mean age 64.28 ± 8.6) and eighty older patients (mean age 80.45 ± 7.13). Our results showed that higher frailty status and lower levels of optimism among patients were significantly associated with higher levels of overall burden and higher burden related to the restriction of personal time among caregivers. Patients’ frailty was additionally associated with caregivers’ greater feelings of failure, physical stress, role conflicts, and embarrassment. Understanding the close connection between patient-related factors and the burden of caregivers appears to be an actual challenge with significant clinical, social, and public health implications.

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Positive Aspects of Caregiving Among Family Caregivers of Individuals With Dementia

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1153 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 358-359

Author(s):

Mary Grace Asirot ◽

Anna Papazyan ◽

Yeonsu Song

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Care Recipient ◽

Related Factors ◽

Negative Experience ◽

Care Recipients ◽

Positive Aspects Of Caregiving ◽

Positive Caregiving ◽

And Behavior

Abstract Traditionally, caregiving for individuals with dementia has been viewed as a negative experience. Understanding positive aspect of caregiving and related factors is important to improve health among family caregivers. We analyzed baseline data from an ongoing dyadic sleep education trial for individuals with dementia and their caregivers (N=21 dyads; mean age 70.8± 11.1 for caregivers, 80.5± 8.3 for care-recipients). The Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC 9-item) was used to assess subjective satisfaction with caregiving. Other measures included Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), SF-12 Health Survey (SF-12v2), Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Pearson correlations and t-tests were calculated for analyses. Caregivers most frequently endorsed that caregiving enabled them to appreciate life more (n=16 agreed a lot). Caregivers who began providing care within the first few months of the care-recipient needing care (n=16) had greater positive aspects of caregiving than those who started providing care sometime later (n=5) (36.37±7.33 versus 25.8±8.29, p=0.01). Caregivers with higher PAC scores had lower ZBI score (r=-0.49, p=0.02), better mental health on the SF-12v2 (r=0.53, p=0.01), less distress related to care-recipient behaviors on the RMBPC (r=-0.50, p=0.02), and lower PSQI subscale (perceived sleep quality) score (r= -0.46, p=0.04). Findings suggest that higher positive caregiving experience was associated with better mental health and sleep quality, and less burden and distress from the care-recipients behaviors. More research is needed to better understand this relationship and to determine possible interventions to increase positive aspects of caregiving.

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