scholarly journals An organizing framework for informal caregiver interventions: detailing caregiving activities and caregiver and care recipient outcomes to optimize evaluation efforts

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Harold Van Houtven ◽  
Corrine I Voils ◽  
Morris Weinberger
Keyword(s):  
Informal Caregiver ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Caregiver Interventions

Caregiving as Pilgrimage

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen K. Black ◽  
John T. Groce ◽  
Charles E. Harmon
Keyword(s):  
Informal Caregiver ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Do So

In this chapter, we explore the experience of an elder husband who was the primary informal caregiver for his wife of 60 years. We describe their encounters as caregiver and care recipient through the years as a pilgrimage. We do so because we believe this word has a revered connotation. Generally, two or more people travel together to a pilgrimage site for the sake of gaining spiritual insight or meaning. In a pilgrimage, the journey toward the site becomes an important part of the sacred quest. The husband who is the subject of this chapter cared for his wife for over 25 years. Through the years, his wife became increasingly impaired and incurred several serious illnesses at the same time that he, as caregiver, experienced his own illnesses and the declines of age.

scholarly journals LONG-DISTANCE CAREGIVERS’ INFORMAL CARE NETWORKS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S557-S557
Author(s):  
Danielle Jimenez ◽  
Francesca Falzarano ◽  
Amy Horowitz ◽  
Verena Cimarolli ◽  
Jillian Minahan
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Informal Care ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Informal Caregiver ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Frequent Contact ◽  
Formal Services

Abstract The purpose of this study (N=304) was to examine the characteristics of LDCs’ informal caregiver (IC) network (Co-caregivers [Co-CG], other informal helpers) providing assistance to the care recipient (CR), and factors associated with more help received from ICs. The majority of LDCs in the sample reported working with at least one IC (81.9%) indicating the existence of a secondary care network. LDCs and Co-CGs were often siblings in comparison to other informal helpers that were more likely to be the CR’s friend. Results also show that CRs with children, living in the community, receiving no formal services, and lower levels of cognitive impairment receive more hours of help from ICs. In addition, more hours of help by ICs were associated with LDCs’ having higher scores of depression and anxiety, spending more hours per month helping the CR, and more frequent contact with CR. These seemingly discrepant findings are discussed.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF THE RESCUE PROGRAM FOR REDUCING STROKE CAREGIVER STRESS AND IMPROVING PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S110-S110
Author(s):  
Meggan Jordan ◽  
I Magaly Freytes ◽  
Tatiana Orozco ◽  
Stuti Dang ◽  
Constance R Uphold
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Negative Problem Orientation ◽  
Caregiver Interventions

Abstract Research shows that caregiver interventions that combine problem-solving with psycho-education are the most effective for addressing stroke caregiver concerns. The Resources and Education for Stroke Caregivers’ Understanding and Empowerment (RESCUE) program, designed to reduce caregiver stress, depression, and burden, developed as a result of this evidence. A 4-week telephone and web-based clinical demonstration project led by registered nurses was established as part of the VHA Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care’s Non-Institutional Long Term Care Initiative. The goals of this clinical demonstration were to improve problem-solving skills and provide individualized support for stroke caregivers. A single-group pre and post-test design was used and 72 caregivers of veterans with stroke completed the intervention; qualitative and quantitative methods were used for evaluation. The outcome variables were caregiver depressive symptoms, problem-solving abilities, burden, health-related quality of life and care recipient functional abilities. Post-tests were conducted 2-6 weeks after the intervention. The evaluation found that there were statistically-significant decreases in caregiver depressive symptoms and burden from pre- to post-test assessments. Caregivers’ negative problem orientation significantly decreased. The other components of problem-solving abilities did not change. Qualitative data revealed how the program increased caregivers’ confidence in problem-solving which led to new strategies to relieve stress. Interviews also revealed how the intervention affected caregivers in unexpected ways, such as improved intimate relationships and new perspectives on caregiving. The preliminary effectiveness and barriers and facilitators of implementing a stroke caregiver program will be discussed.

A Harmful Care: The Association of Informal Caregiver Burnout With Depression, Subjective Health, and Violence

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052098325
Author(s):  
Pierre Gérain ◽  
Emmanuelle Zech
Keyword(s):  
Informal Caregiver ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Psychological Violence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Caregiver Burnout

Providing informal care to a relative can lead to informal caregiver burnout, which is expected to lead to deleterious consequences. Among these consequences lie the risk of perpetrating violent behaviors against the care-recipient, the caregivers’ risk of depression, and their low subjective health. To investigate these associations, a sample of 499 informal caregivers completed a questionnaire addressing informal caregiver burnout, depression, subjective health, and violence. Hierarchical regression models were used to investigate the potential association of burnout with these potential consequences, while controlling for sociodemographic variables and received violence. The results show that burnout, and especially emotional exhaustion, is significantly associated with depression, low subjective health, and perpetrated physical violence, but not with perpetrated psychological violence. For both psychological and physical violence, it appears that receiving violence is one of the best predictors of perpetrating violence. With these results, this cross-sectional study confirms the association of informal caregiver burnout with deleterious consequences—even if this observation must be pondered—and the central role of received violence in predicting perpetrated violence, suggesting the risk of violence escalation. The implications of these results suggest that the emotional state of informal caregivers is one of the indicators of potential deleterious consequences and should, as such, be considered as a warning signal by field workers.

scholarly journals The Dyadic Effects of Perceived Support on Depression in Spousal Care Partners

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 354-354
Author(s):  
Kylie Meyer ◽  
Neela Patel ◽  
Carole White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Perceived Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Caregiver Mental Health ◽  
Caregiver Interventions

Abstract Relationship quality is an important factor affecting care partners’ health and wellbeing. Supportive marital relationships are associated with better physical and subjective health, whereas strain is associated with poorer health. Recent studies now indicate a dyadic effect of relationship quality on health outcomes, such that an individual’s perceptions of their relationship also affects their partner’s outcomes. Few studies have examined the dyadic effects of relationship quality on mental health among older cognitively intact caregiving couples. To address the lack of dyadic research about how perceived support from one’s spouse related to experiences of depression for individuals and their care partners, we apply cross-sectional actor partner interdependence models (APIMs) to data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (N=490 dyads). APIM regression models controlled for participant demographic characteristics, relationship length, and care recipient functional ability. Findings showed that positive perceived support from a spouse had a stronger negative association with one’s own depression for care recipients than for caregivers. Similarly, greater negative perceived support from a partner was associated with higher levels of depression; whether the partner was the caregiver or care recipient did not make a difference in this model. Although there are hundreds of caregiver interventions to address caregivers’ mental health, few have demonstrated improvement in care recipient outcomes. Observation of both actor and partner effects in this study suggests there may be opportunities to improve care recipient and caregiver mental health by targeting interventions to promote high quality relationships with caregivers or both members of the care dyad.

scholarly journals Do Caregiver Interventions Improve Outcomes in Relatives With Dementia? A Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1040-1040
Author(s):  
Sheung-Tak Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Direct Training ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Caregiver Interventions ◽  
Family Centered

Abstract Despite plenty of reviews on the benefits of nonpharmacological interventions for dementia informal caregivers, large-scale review on the effects of these interventions on the care-recipients (CRs) is lacking. We searched PsycINFO, CINAHL with Full Text, MEDLINE, and PubMed from inception to end of 2020 and found 144 articles that reported randomized controlled trials of caregiver interventions using CR outcomes. Interventions were found to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms and mood disturbance, enhance cognition and quality of life, and delay institutionalization and mortality, with care coordination/case management, educational intervention with psychotherapeutic components, and direct training of the care-recipient (with caregiver involvement) being the more potent interventions. However, the effects were generally small to very small. Together with existing findings on caregiver outcomes, a tripartite scaffolding model of caregiver support is proposed. Future directions in terms of developing consensual guidelines, a registry of intervention manuals, and family-centered programs are discussed.

scholarly journals Informal Caregiver Burden, Benefits, and Older Adult Mortality: A Survival Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 2193-2206
Author(s):  
Teja Pristavec ◽  
Elizabeth A Luth
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Survival Analysis ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Informal Caregiver ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
National Study ◽  
Mortality Factors ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Objective Informal caregivers are crucial to maintaining older adults’ health, but few studies examine how caregiving receipt is associated with older person longevity. In a nationally representative sample, we prospectively explore whether and how having an informal caregiver is associated with older adult overall mortality, and how caregivers’ burden and benefits perceptions relate to care recipient mortality. Methods We match six National Health and Aging Trends Study waves (2011–2016) with 2011 National Study of Caregiving data, conducting survival analysis on 7,369 older adults and 1,327 older adult-informal caregiver dyads. Results Having an informal caregiver is associated with 36% (p < .001) higher mortality risk over 6-year follow-up, adjusting for demographic, economic, and health factors. Older adults whose caregivers perceive only burden have 38% higher (p < .05) mortality risk than those with caregivers reporting neither burden nor benefits. This risk is reduced from 38% higher to 5% higher (p < .001) for older adults with caregivers reporting benefits alongside burden, compared to those with caregivers reporting neither perception. Discussion Having a caregiver may signal impending decline beyond known mortality factors. However, interventions to increase caregivers’ benefit perceptions and reduce their burden may decrease mortality risk for older adults with declining health and functional ability.

scholarly journals Protocol for a systematic review on interventions for caregivers of persons with mild cognitive impairment and early dementia: does early stage intervention improve caregiver well-being and ability to provide care?

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e028441
Author(s):  
Melanie Bayly ◽  
Debra Morgan ◽  
Julie Kosteniuk ◽  
Valerie Elliot ◽  
Amanda Froehlich Chow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Caregiver Interventions

IntroductionCaregivers of persons with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at risk of decreased well-being. While many interventions for caregivers exist, evidence is sparse regarding intervention timing and effectiveness at an early stage of cognitive decline. Our systematic review aims to answer the following questions: (1) Do interventions for caregivers of persons with early stage dementia or MCI affect their well-being and ability to provide care? (2) Are particular types of caregiver interventions most effective during early stage cognitive decline? (3) How does effectiveness differ when early and later interventions are directly compared? (4) Do effects of early stage caregiver intervention vary based on care recipient and caregiver characteristics (eg, sex, type of dementia)?Methods and analysisThe databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PSYCINFO and CINAHL, as well as grey literature databases, will be searched for English language studies using search terms related to caregiver interventions and dementia/MCI. Abstracts and full texts will be screened by two independent reviewers; included studies must assess the effects of an intervention for caregivers of persons with early stage dementia or MCI on caregiver well-being or ability to provide care. Intervention, study and participant characteristics will be extracted by two independent reviewers, along with outcome data. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (for controlled trials with and without randomisation). Interventions will be grouped by type (eg, psychoeducational) and a narrative synthesis is planned due to expected heterogeneity, but a meta-analysis will be performed where possible. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach will be used to inform conclusions regarding the quality of evidence for each type of intervention.Ethics and disseminationFindings from this review will be disseminated via conferences and peer-reviewed publication, and a summary will be provided to the Alzheimer Society.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018114960.

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF CAREGIVING EXPERIENCE ON CARE RECIPIENT OLDER ADULTS’ MORTALITY: A SURVIVAL ANALYSIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S217-S217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teja Pristavec ◽  
Elizabeth A Luth
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Survival Analysis ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Informal Caregiver ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
National Study ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Health and demographic mortality risk factors among older adults are well documented. However, less is known about the dyadic relationship between caregiver characteristics and care recipient mortality outcomes. In a nationally representative sample of older adults, we prospectively explore 1) whether and how having an informal caregiver is associated with care recipient mortality, and 2) among those with caregivers, how caregivers’ experiences of burden and benefits relate to care recipient mortality. We match 6 waves of National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2016) with 2011 National Study of Caregivers data. We conduct survival analysis on 7,369 older adults and a subsample of 1,341 older adult-informal caregiver dyads to address our research questions. First, we find that simply having an informal caregiver increases mortality risk by 71% (p<0.001) over the 6-year time period, even when adjusting for key demographic, economic and health factors. Second, we find that older adults whose caregivers perceive burden have a significantly higher mortality risk. This risk is reduced if the caregiver also perceives caregiving benefits. The risk of death is 41% higher for older adults whose caregivers report burden but no benefit compared to those with caregivers who report neither burden nor benefit. Further research should investigate possible reasons why merely having a caregiver increases older adults’ mortality risk. Interventions to increase caregivers’ sense of benefit and reduce their burden may be an effective way of decreasing mortality risk for older adults with declining health and functional ability.

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