Older Adult Caregivers’ Experiences in an Online, Interactive Mindfulness Intervention

Background. While today’s older adults experience longevity, they often manage several chronic conditions and increasingly serve as informal caregivers for aging parents, children with life-long disabilities, and spouses. Older adult caregivers managing personal chronic illness often experience significant psychosocial hardships. Objective. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of older adult caregivers in an online, interactive mindfulness intervention. Methods. Self-reported older caregivers who participated in an online-based mindfulness program (n = 20) were recruited for semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to provide feedback about any previous experience with mindfulness and/or meditation, hopes or goals held prior to the start of the program, desired expectations, motivation for joining, impressions of sessions, most beneficial topics, potential application of content, and any perceived effects. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results. Five themes emerged from the analysis: Managing the Comprehensive Effects of Caregiving, Openness to Meditation and Mindfulness, Course Engagement and Incremental Growth, Building Rapport through Shared Experiences, and Ongoing Application and Opportunities for Refinement. Participants reported both short-term post-exercise benefits such as increased calm, relaxation, and stress relief, as well as long-term positive outcomes. Notably, participants found the program’s unique interactive feature to be particularly beneficial as a form of perceived social support. Conclusions. Caregivers for older adults may derive benefit and potentially experience reduced subjective caregiver burden as a result of participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, particularly when the program is augmented with a self-compassion approach and perceived social support.

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“It’s My Time”: Older Adults’ Experiences and Perceived Benefits of Participation in an Intergenerational Rock Band

Music Therapy Perspectives ◽

10.1093/mtp/miz021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 187-194

Author(s):

Natalie Wlodarczyk

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Perceived Benefits ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Rock Band ◽

Ability Levels ◽

Free Environment ◽

First Time

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative content analysis was to explore the experiences and perceived benefits for older adult members who participated in an intergenerational rock band (IGRB) pairing older adults with college students. Participants (n = 29) were first-time older adult IGRB members who completed semi-structured interviews over the course of 5 years. Interviews were completed within 1 week of the conclusion of the semester-long participation in the IGRB. Each interview was digitally recorded, manually transcribed, and analyzed using an iterative approach to thematic analysis. Experiences and perceived benefits associated with participation in the IGRB for these older adults were encompassed by four themes: Staying Active, Wanting to Try Something New, Feeling Connected, and Seeking Positive Experiences. Findings indicate that an IGRB is an innovative, collaborative, and inclusive intergenerational music-making experience that leaves a multifaceted and overall positive impact on its older adult members. Themes suggest that older adults with musical backgrounds may enjoy an experience like an IGRB because it brings a level of familiarity coupled with the opportunity to try something new and different from their previous experiences with music. A key contribution of this study is the importance of promoting a judgment-free environment for singing that is inclusive of all ability levels. Developing a better understanding of older adults’ motivations for participating in an IGRB may help us to plan future music experiences for older adults and broaden our reach to the older adult community.

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Digital Access in Working-Age and Older Adults and Their Caregivers Attending Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics: Quantitative Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9130 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Callum Cruickshank ◽

Donald J MacIntyre

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Internet Access ◽

Adult Patients ◽

The Internet ◽

Working Age ◽

Adult Caregivers ◽

Older Adult Caregivers

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that improving access to mental health services, supporting self-management, and increasing clinical productivity can be achieved through the delivery of technology-enabled care by personal mobile-based and internet-based services. There is little evidence available about whether working-age and older adults with mental health problems or their caregivers have access to these technologies or their confidence with these technologies. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and range of devices used to access the internet in patients and caregivers attending general and older adult psychiatry outpatient services and their confidence in using these technologies. METHODS We conducted an anonymous survey of 77 patients and caregivers from a general psychiatry and old age psychiatry clinic to determine rates of internet access and device ownership, and attitudes to technology-enabled care. RESULTS We found high levels of internet access and confidence in using the internet in working-age adults, their caregivers, and older adult caregivers but not in older adult patients. The smartphone usage predominated in working-age adults and their caregivers. Older adult caregivers were more likely to use desktop or laptop computers. In our sample, tablets were the least popular form factor. CONCLUSIONS Access rates and uptake of internet-based services have the potential to be high in working-age adults and their caregivers but are likely to be markedly lower among older adult patients attending psychiatry clinics. Applications designed for tablets are likely to have low uptake. All groups identified appointment reminders as likely to be beneficial.

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Development and Validation of an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) to Measure Implicit Dysfunctional Beliefs about Caregiving in Dementia Family Caregivers

The Psychological Record ◽

10.1007/s40732-020-00445-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Isabel Cabrera ◽

María Márquez-González ◽

Naoko Kishita ◽

Carlos Vara-García ◽

Andrés Losada

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Older Adult ◽

Self Report ◽

Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure ◽

Assessment Procedure ◽

Dysfunctional Beliefs ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Adult Caregivers ◽

Older Adult Caregivers

AbstractCaregivers of people with dementia who endorse dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving are at high risk of experiencing higher levels of distress. These dysfunctional beliefs are presented in the form of rules, verbal statements that specify what responsibilities one should expect in order to be a “good caregiver,” and are characterized as rigid, unrealistic, or highly demanding. Previous studies relied exclusively on self-report measures when assessing such dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving. The objectives of this study were: 1) to develop and validate an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) to measure implicit dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving (CARE-IRAP), and 2) considering the relatively high age of the sample, to analyze the adaptation of the IRAP for older adults, comparing the IRAP performance between older adult caregivers and middle-aged caregivers. Participants were 123 dementia family caregivers with a mean age of 62.24 ± 12.89. Adaptations were made to the IRAP by adjusting the accuracy and response time criteria. The sample was split into middle-aged caregivers (below 60 years) and older adult caregivers (60 or older). The CARE-IRAP scores presented significant positive correlations with explicit measures of dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving and experiential avoidance in caregiving. A similar pattern of results was observed across the two age groups. The results revealed that caregivers endorse implicit dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving and offer preliminary support for the use of the IRAP as a valid measure of implicit caregiving beliefs. This exploratory study is the first to adapt the IRAP criteria to older adults, and future studies should further explore criteria suitable for this population.

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Life Course Stage and Social Support Mobilization for End-of-Life Caregivers

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464818766666 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (8) ◽

pp. 820-827 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Susan A. LaValley ◽

Elizabeth A. Gage-Bouchard

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Life Course ◽

End Of Life ◽

Older Adult ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Support Resources ◽

Adult Caregivers ◽

Older Adult Caregivers ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

Depth Interviews

Caregivers of terminally ill patients are at risk for anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Social support from friends, family members, neighbors, and health care professionals can potentially prevent or mitigate caregiver strain. While previous research documents the importance of social support in helping end-of-life caregivers cope with caregiving demands, little is known about differences in social support experiences among caregivers at different life course stages. Using life course theory, this study analyzes data from in-depth interviews with 50 caregivers of patients enrolled in hospice services to compare barriers to mobilizing social support among caregivers at two life course stages: midlife caregivers caring for parents and older adult caregivers caring for spouses/partners. Older adult caregivers reported different barriers to mobilizing social support compared with midlife caregivers. Findings enhance the understanding of how caregivers’ life course stage affects their barriers to mobilization of social support resources.

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Well-Being Factors That Relate to Facebook-Using Older Adults’ Perceived Social Support on Facebook

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1168 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 301-301

Author(s):

Travis Kadylak ◽

Shelia Cotten ◽

Amy Schuster

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Positive Association ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Fear Of Missing Out ◽

Facebook Use ◽

The U.S

Abstract The majority of literature on Facebook use and well-being focuses on younger demographics. The number older adults using Facebook continues to increase. Facebook use by older adults has been found to increase well-being and decrease feelings of depression. This study investigates the effect that perceived social support on Facebook may have on loneliness, depression, social support (offline), and fear of missing out (FOMO) for older adult Facebook users. Older adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. completed a Qualtrics survey (N=798). Participants were, on average, 74 years old. Perceived social support on Facebook had a positive association with social support, depression, and FOMO. The results suggest that among Facebook using older adults, higher levels of perceived social support on Facebook were associated with higher levels of social support, feelings of depression, and FOMO. Future research should investigate the possibility that depression could be driving perceived social support on Facebook.

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Correlates of Perceived Social Support in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e581872013-001 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Nancy Dorr ◽

Richard T. Pulice ◽

Amanda Loitsch

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Older Adults’ Perception of Their Needs in Tehran: A Cry for Emotional and Social Support

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v9n2p134 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 134

Author(s):

Sima Ghasemi ◽

Nastaran Keshavarz Mohammadi ◽

Farahnaz Mohammadi Shahboulaghi ◽

Ali Ramezankhani

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adult ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Social Needs ◽

Health Needs ◽

Social Health ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Instrumental Social Support ◽

Wide Range

INTRODUCTION: Background and purpose: Human’s longevity has increased with advances in health and better management of communicable diseases. Therefore, the number of older adult is increasing in developed and developing countries. A glimpse at studies reveals that identifying elderly’s health needs has been mainly based on the experts’ understanding, while older adult themselves have rarely expressed their own opinions. This study aimed to better understand Tehran, Iran elderly’s perception of their own health needs.METHODS: In this qualitative study, with purposeful sampling, data was collected by conducting deep semi-structured interviews with elderlies aged 60-84 years, residing at their private houses. After 19 interviews, the data achieved saturation. The content of the interviews was analyzed through content-analysis approach.RESULTS: Data analyses led to extracting main categories of needs in different domains. The main health needs in physical health domain included: having a healthy lifestyle, independence and safety. Regarding elders’ mental health, coping with their aging, inner tranquility; regarding their spiritual health, the need to have a meaning in life and faithfulness in religion were identified as main groups of needs. And the most important among their main social health needs were the needs for emotional and social support, social involvement and instrumental social support. CONCLUSION: Although, a wide range of physical, mental and social needs were raised, some were more important. Fulfilling the emotional needs in social health had the highest frequency among the needs expressed by the contributors. Following that with a notable difference were the frequencies of having a healthy lifestyle, independence and inner tranquility. This means that attempts to address elderly health needs should avoid focusing mainly or even only on disease related needs and serious attention should be paid to their emotional and social needs.

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Analysis of Factors Affecting Self-Acceptance in Older Adult Living in Nursing Homes

Indonesian Journal of Community Health Nursing ◽

10.20473/ijchn.v6i2.24981 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 64

Author(s):

Dessy Syahfitri Pohan ◽

Elida Ulfiana ◽

Ariina Qona'ah

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Family Support ◽

Older Adult ◽

Aged Care ◽

Essential Factor ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Self Acceptance

Introduction: Self-acceptance among older adult who lives in the nursing home tends to be poor. It is because they feel abandoned by their families and their inability to accept any changes that occur to them. Thus, older adults find it challenging to adapt to their new environment and cause various physical and psychological problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors of self-acceptance in older adults living in aged care based on an empirical study of the last ten years.Method: This study used a literature review design with electronic sources from 4 databases, namely Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct, which were published in the period 2010-2020. The keywords used are factors that influence or self-acceptance, older adults or elderly or aged, and nursing homes or nursing home.Results: Thirteen articles were analyzed in this study. Six research articles discuss social support as the most important factor of self-acceptance in older adults living in nursing homes. Other factors that influence self-acceptance in the older adult who lives in the nursing home include spirituality, religiosity, family support, and positive thinking.Conclusion: Social support is the essential factor in self-acceptance in older adults living in nursing homes.

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