scholarly journals Supporting carers of people with dementia: What is effective?

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham A. Jackson ◽  
Debbie Browne
Keyword(s):  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Carer Support ◽  
Nice Guidance ◽  
Psychological Harm ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Informal Carers ◽  
Multicomponent Interventions ◽  
And Training

Carer stress is well documented, especially in those caring for individuals with dementia. A recommendation of all national dementia strategies is to provide excellent support and information to informal carers of people with dementia. NICE guidance suggests that a range of tailored interventions, including psychological input, psychoeducation and training courses, should be offered to reduce caregiver burden and stress, although good-quality outcome-based evidence is lacking. On the basis of a narrative review of the literature, we describe individual and multicomponent carer support packages and discuss their evidence base, reflecting on outcomes for carers. Multicomponent interventions have the best evidence for effectiveness.Learning Objectives• Consider the risks of both physical and psychological harm experienced by carers of people with dementia (often referred to as carer burden or caregiver burden)• Be aware of the interventions available for the support of carers of people with dementia• Consider the evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions and be aware of the limitations of the evidence

scholarly journals Older Carers and Carers of People with Dementia: Improving and Developing Effective Support

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Mary Larkin ◽  
Melanie Henwood ◽  
Alisoun Milne
Keyword(s):  
Third Sector ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Carer Support ◽  
Tailored Approach ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Similar Stage

The policy drive to support carers is a longstanding national and international priority. Research about the design and delivery of support for carers is critical to the underpinning evidence base. Through a timely exploration of a third sector perspective, the UK-based study discussed in this article provides insights into approaches to, and the commissioning of, support for older carers and carers of people with dementia. The study highlights the importance of: embedding carers’ perspectives in service developments; the provision of both generic and targeted support which adopts a nuanced and tailored approach; titrating the delivery of information and advice at a pace to match carers’ needs; capturing quantitative and qualitative dimensions in service evaluation; and increased quantity and longevity of funding. Such insights not only complement existing research but are also generalisable to other countries at a similar stage in the development of carer support.

scholarly journals Psychosocial interventions for dementia: from evidence to practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 340-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhamini Patel ◽  
Mark Perera ◽  
Jill Pendleton ◽  
Anna Richman ◽  
Biswadeep Majumdar
Keyword(s):  
Life Story ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
List Type ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Carer Support ◽  
Story Work

SummaryThis article presents evidence for the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for people with dementia and their carers. The evidence base is not yet robust enough to clearly suggest which interventions are most suited for which environment. However, from our literature review there appears to be reason to use music therapy, aromatherapy, life story work, animal-assisted therapy and post-diagnosis/carer support work. We focus on both the traditional outcome measures of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and the more difficult to measure, but equally important, person-centred outcomes of nonpharmacological interventions, as their properties are distinctly different from those of pharmacological agents.Learning Objectives•Be aware of the range of psychosocial interventions.•Have a better understanding of the possible outcomes from given interventions.•Be aware of the paradigm shift from managing BPSD to a person-centred approach that focuses on the patient's well-being and quality of life.

scholarly journals 77 Behind the Scenes: the Burden Experienced by Informal Carers of People with Dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65
Author(s):  
Roisin O'Brien ◽  
Fiona Breen ◽  
Caoimhe Gibney ◽  
Laura Mackey ◽  
Estefanía Guisado-Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Spousal Relationship ◽  
Carer Burden ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Higher Educational Attainment ◽  
Informal Carers

Abstract Background Informal care is undoubtedly a vital to dementia care in Ireland. To date, little research has been carried out exploring the burden experienced by informal carers of people with mild to moderate dementia. The main aim of this quantitative study is to explore the burden experienced by caregivers, relative to dementia severity. The secondary aim is to identify risk factors which may be contributing to this perceived burden. Methods Fifty-two people with dementia(PwD) and their informal caregivers were recruited by convenience sampling, and data was collected as part of the ‘CHESS’ research trial. Data was collected during baseline assessments between April 2017 and September 2018. Dementia disease severity was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE), the Neuro-Psychiatric Inventory Questionnaire(NPI-Q), and the Disability Assessment for Dementia(DAD) scale. These outcome measures were then compared to levels of caregiver burden, which was measured using the Zarit-Burden Interview(ZBI). These comparisons were completed using Spearman’s correlations. Socio-demographic characteristics of both the carer and PwD were then compared to caregiver burden, using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results The results of the study substantiate that behavioural disturbances(p=0.000) and increasing disability(p=0.022) of the PwD are associated with higher carer burden. The study also identified potential non-modifiable risk factors for increased carer burden. These include spousal relationship to the PwD(p=0.096), older caregiver age(p=0.208), female carer gender(p=0.083) and higher educational attainment of the caregiver(p=0.035). Some of these differ from factors influencing burden in other international populations. Conclusion This preliminary analysis is the first study of its kind to be carried out in Ireland. It sheds light on potential predictors and risk factors for carer burden and shows need for future research to be carried out in this area. Such research would help to clarify interventions which could minimise the prevalence of the burden experienced by informal caregivers.

scholarly journals Home care in dementia: The views of informal carers from a co-designed consultation

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122199050
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L Dalgarno ◽  
Vincent Gillan ◽  
Amy Roberts ◽  
Jean Tottie ◽  
David Britt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Public Involvement ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Dementia Research ◽  
Informal Carers ◽  
A Current

Background In the United Kingdom, there is a current priority for high-quality dementia care provided at home. However, home care or domiciliary care is an area where problems have been reported, in terms of a lack of consistency, coordination and appropriate responses to the specific needs of those with dementia. The views of informal carers, who often must respond to these problems when supporting relatives, are crucial in shedding light on the issues and in seeking to promote solutions. Methods This study explored the views of informal carers of those with dementia concerning home care, through a consultation using an electronic survey. The survey questions were designed by informal carers, through a public involvement group within an existing programme of dementia research. The survey elicited responses from 52 informal carers in 2017/18. The data were analysed qualitatively using framework analysis. Findings Carers’ views focused on the need for investment into meaningful personalisation, recognising the value of providing care and valuing formal carers, systemic failings of care coordination and provision and the importance of ongoing collaboration and care planning. Conclusion Based on a framework drawn from the views of informal carers themselves, this study articulated issues of concern for home care and its delivery for people with dementia. Attempts should be made to make dementia home care more consistently personalised, inclusive and collaborative with informal carers and key others involved. Further areas to explore include working conditions of formal carers and current models utilised in homecare provision.

scholarly journals Scoping review assessing the evidence used to support the adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technologies for the education and training of community health workers (CHWs) in low-income and middle-income countries

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e019827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niall Winters ◽  
Laurenz Langer ◽  
Anne Geniets
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
And Training ◽  
Formal Theories

ObjectivesUndertake a systematic scoping review to determine how a research evidence base, in the form of existing systematic reviews in the field of mobile health (mHealth), constitutes education and training for community health workers (CHWs) who use mobile technologies in everyday work. The review was informed by the following research questions: does educational theory inform the design of the education and training component of mHealth interventions? How is education and training with mobile technology by CHWs in low-income and middle-income countries categorised by existing systematic reviews? What is the basis for this categorisation?SettingThe review explored the literature from 2000 to 2017 to investigate how mHealth interventions have been positioned within the available evidence base in relation to their use of formal theories of learning.ResultsThe scoping review found 24 primary studies that were categorised by 16 systematic reviews as supporting CHWs’ education and training using mobile technologies. However, when formal theories of learning from educational research were used to recategorise these 24 primary studies, only four could be coded as such. This identifies a problem with how CHWs’ education and training using mobile technologies is understood and categorised within the existing evidence base. This is because there is no agreed on, theoretically informed understanding of what counts as learning.ConclusionThe claims made by mHealth researchers and practitioners regarding the learning benefits of mobile technology are not based on research results that are underpinned by formal theories of learning. mHealth suffers from a reductionist view of learning that underestimates the complexities of the relationship between pedagogy and technology. This has resulted in miscategorisations of what constitutes CHWs’ education and training within the existing evidence base. This can be overcome by informed collaboration between the health and education communities.

An extended review of couple-centred interventions in dementia: Exploring the what and why — Part B

Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 2450-2473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therése Bielsten ◽  
Ingrid Hellström
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
As Relationship ◽  
Academic Search ◽  
Extended Review

This scoping review is an extended version of a narrative review of couple-centred interventions in dementia shared in part A and the previous publication in this edition. The rationale for expanding study A emerged through the fact that most dyadic interventions have samples consisting of a majority of couples. The exclusion of interventions with samples of mixed relationships in part A therefore contributed to a narrow picture of joint dyadic interventions for couples in which one partner has a dementia. The aim of this second review is to explore the ‘what’ (types of interventions) and the ‘why’ (objectives and outcome measures) of dyadic interventions in which sample consists of a majority of couples/spouses and in which people with dementia and caregivers jointly participate. Method A five-step framework for scoping reviews guided the procedure. Searches were performed in Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results Twenty-one studies with various types of psychosocial interventions were included. The main outcome measure for people with dementia was related to cognitive function, respectively caregiver burden and depression for caregivers. Conclusions The findings of this extended review of joint dyadic interventions in dementia are in line with the findings of part A regarding the negative approach of outcomes, lack of a genuine dyadic approach, lack of tailored support, neglect of interpersonal issues and the overlook of the views of people with dementia. This review also recognises that measures of caregiver burden, as well as relationship quality should be considered in samples of mixed relationships due to the different significance of burden and relationship quality for a spouse as opposed to an adult child or friend.

scholarly journals Balancing European SME Managers’ Training Contents: Perceived Importance & Training Needs

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-22
Author(s):  
Leonel Morgado ◽  
João Varajão ◽  
Caroline Dominguez ◽  
Irene Oliveira ◽  
Fernanda Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Training Programs ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Business Training ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Training Institutions ◽  
And Training

AbstractBackground: Given the limited available time of in-service professionals, the balance between the perceived importance of the course content and training needs is essential for the acceptance and attractiveness of training courses aimed at them. Objectives: The goal of the paper is to contribute to the development of entrepreneurship and business training programs for European SME managers. Methods/Approach: In six European countries a survey focusing on SME managers’ views on the importance of individual items from a list of potential course content items, and their training needs was carried out, and followed by an analysis using exploratory and multivariate techniques. It was aimed at identifying homogeneous groups of managers with common training needs and perceptions of content importance. Results: Homogeneous groups of managers who assign the same importance to certain competences and who have common training needs are identified. Conclusions: Results of our research could help training institutions to develop courses aimed at SME managers. The balancing approach proved to be an interesting method of combining conflicting requirements for the training course curriculum development.

Can Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations Training Alter Mood States in Children and Adolescents? A Reanalysis of Data From Six Studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Y. F. Lau ◽  
Victoria Pile
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Development Of Anxiety ◽  
Bias Modification ◽  
And Training

Anxiety disorders are common and impairing in childhood and adolescence. Cognitive bias modification of interpretations (CBM-I) training aims to alter information biases associated with anxiety disorders by training the person to endorse benign, rather than negative, interpretations of ambiguous situations. With an expanding evidence base, CBM-I training in childhood and adolescence may provide a key opportunity to prevent the development of anxiety disorders, particularly by capitalizing on the inherent flexibility of the adolescent brain to make durable changes. This article augments existing data with a reanalysis of a large sample of data ( N = 387). The reanalysis highlights that CBM-I is (a) effective in altering interpretation styles; (b) that changes in mood state, although weak, are evident; and (c) tentatively, that effectiveness may vary across age in males and females. We conclude by offering further suggestions on which factors associated with protocol (e.g., multiple sessions) and training package (e.g., use of imagery) may maximize training effectiveness.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document