scholarly journals Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Characteristics and Their Relationship with Anticipatory Grief

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8838
Author(s):  
Alba Pérez-González ◽  
Josep Vilajoana-Celaya ◽  
Joan Guàrdia-Olmos
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Anticipatory Grief ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sociodemographic Data ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Person With Dementia

In Alzheimer’s disease, two fundamental aspects become important for caregivers: ambiguity and ambivalence. Thus, anticipatory grief is considered an active psychological process that is very different from the mere anticipation of death. The present study aims to determine which characteristics of family caregivers of people with dementia, such as age, gender, educational level, relationship with the person with dementia, years with dementia or years as a caregiver, are related to the presence of anticipatory grief. A cross-sectional design was employed. The sample consisted of a total of 129 subjects who cared for a family member with dementia. A sociodemographic data sheet and a battery of tests measure the presence of anticipatory grief, caregiver burden and/or psychopathology. The results obtained allowed us to confirm some of the hypotheses regarding the anticipatory grief construct, the importance of the care time factor, in years and per day, as well as the relevance of the previous demographic and psychopathological profile (being female, spouse function and possible depressive symptomatology). Likewise, from the prediction analyzes performed, it seems that these variables can predict anticipatory grief. These results propose interesting opportunities to formulate care proposals to professionals and family caregivers in relation to care tasks and caregiver skills.

Longitudinal study of medication use in caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease – Kuopio ALSOVA study

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1573-1585
Author(s):  
Tarja Välimäki ◽  
Julia FM Gilmartin-Thomas ◽  
J Simon Bell ◽  
Tuomas Selander ◽  
Anne M Koivisto
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Prescription Register ◽  
People With Dementia

Background The longitudinal pattern of medication use among family caregivers of people with dementia is not well understood, despite the potential for medication over- or under-use. Objectives To investigate caregiver medication use over a five-year follow-up using data obtained via self-report and from a national prescription register, and compare agreement between medication data obtained from the two sources. Methods Medication data for 222 family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease were obtained via self-report and from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. Generalised estimating equations, Kappa statistics and related samples Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyse medication use over time. Results The mean number of medications used by caregivers increased from 3.4 to 4.1 (self-reported current regular medications) and 2.4 to 2.8 (reimbursed prescription medications during the past 90 days) over five years (p < 0.001). Significantly, more medications were identified via self-report (mean 3.6, SD = 3.3) than the national prescription register (mean 2.6, SD = 2.4, Z= –12.300, p < 0.001). Agreement between the two data sources was good for cardiovascular medications and anti-hypertensives (Kappa = 0.883–0.967, p < 0.001) and medications for acid-related disorders (Kappa = 0.508–0.092, p < 0.001). Agreement was moderate for analgesics (Kappa = 0.281–0.477, p < 0.001) and psychotropics (Kappa = 0.281–0.562, p < 0.002). The proportion of caregivers using five or more medications increased from 27.5% to 44.6% (self-report), and 16.7% to 27.7% (register) (p < 0.001). Conclusion Caregivers use an increasing number of medications in the first five years of caring for persons with dementia, and self-report using a higher number of medications than data from the national prescription register suggest.

Quality of life in dementia: the role of non-cognitive factors in the ratings of people with dementia and family caregivers

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1097-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fernanda Barroso Sousa ◽  
Raquel Luiza Santos ◽  
Cynthia Arcoverde ◽  
Pedro Simões ◽  
Tatiana Belfort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Significant Difference

ABSTRACTBackground: The validity of self-reported quality-of-life (QoL) assessments of people with dementia (PWD) is a critical issue. We designed this study to determine the non-cognitive factors that are associated with self-reported QoL and PWD QoL as rated by family caregivers.Methods: Using a cross-sectional study, we assessed QoL of 41 people with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The individuals with AD and their family caregivers completed the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (QoL-AD), the Assessment Scale of Psychosocial Impact of the Diagnosis of Dementia (ASPIDD), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), and the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the contribution of the various cofactors.Results: We observed a significant difference (t = 3.292, p < 0.01, d = 0.727) in the QoL measures of PWD after comparing self-reported assessments with the assessments of family caregivers. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that awareness of disease was related to PWD QoL-AD scores. Both the education levels of family caregivers and the depressive symptoms in PWD were related to the family caregivers’ ratings of PWD QoL.Conclusions: The difference between self-reported QoL and family caregivers’ ratings of QoL in people with mild dementia indicated that cognitive impairment was not the primary factor that accounted for the differences in the QoL assessments. Our findings suggested that non-cognitive factors, such as awareness of disease and depressive symptoms, played an important role in the differences between the self-reported AD QoL ratings and the caregivers’ AD QoL ratings. A major implication is that discrete measures such as cognition or level of function are likely to miss important factors that influence QoL.

scholarly journals Emotional disorders evidenced by family caregivers of older people with Alzheimer’s disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-61
Author(s):  
Carlene Souza Silva Manzini ◽  
Francisco Assis Carvalho do Vale
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Mild Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multiprofessional Team

ABSTRACT The task of caring for a family member with dementia is associated with caregiver physical and emotional problems. The patient’s decline in health and specific needs contribute directly to this situation. Objective: To evaluate burden, stress, depression and anxiety symptoms in family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational and quantitative study was carried out. The sample consisted of 66 family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer’s disease, whom attended the Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Outpatient Clinic of the Federal University of São Carlos, in the city of São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Results: Of the caregivers evaluated in the severe AD subgroup, 47.3% had intense burden; 86, 4% exhibited significant stress levels; 57% presented severe anxiety levels and 36.9% presented mild depression symptoms. Conclusion: Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease generates burden, stress, anxiety and depression. Support groups comprising a multiprofessional team can be set up to assist caregivers. These actions can help caregivers cope with the daily demands and challenges and ensure better care quality in an increasingly aging population.

“In the flesh”: Narratives of family caregivers at risk of Early-onset Familial Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1474-1491
Author(s):  
Maritza García-Toro ◽  
María Cruz Sánchez-Gómez ◽  
Lucía Madrigal Zapata ◽  
Francisco Javier Lopera
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Early Onset ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Familial Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Familial Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
The Impact

In the growing body of literature dealing with the consequences of family caregiving amongst people with dementia, there are few studies examining the impact of Early-onset Familial Alzheimer’s Disease on caregivers. This study exposes the subjective experience of a group of family caregivers who themselves possess a genetic susceptibility to develop this form of dementia. We interviewed and analyzed the accounts of 27 caregivers belonging to family lineages carrying the E280A mutation for Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. We utilized a phenomenological method to analyze these accounts, initially tracking seven theoretical categories (Anxiety, Depression, Burden, Resilience, Self-efficacy, Social Support, and Coping Strategies) and then subsequently two additional categories which emerged (Conceptions about the Disease and Other Vital Experiences Interfering with Caregiving). The results show that caring for a loved one while simultaneously running the risk of developing the same form of Alzheimer’s Disease permeates the caregivers’ experience both in a negative and a positive way. The continuous exposition to emotional stress in these caregivers should be seriously considered as they may be at risk of accelerating the onset of symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, while simultaneously, early psychological symptoms of dementia may be masked by the emotional sequelae of caregiving, interfering with early diagnosis. Certainly, support services for the entire family group are suggested.

scholarly journals AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN MOTOR ABILITY AND MOTOR LEARNING IN TRIPLE TRANSGENIC (3×TG-AD) AND CONTROL (B6129SF1/J) MICE ON THE ACCELERATING ROTAROD

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan J. Oore ◽  
Leanne M. Fraser ◽  
Richard E. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Motor Learning ◽  
Learning Curve ◽  
Motor Ability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
And Control

Student Award-Winning PaperMouse models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) show both cognitive and neuromotor impairments. We measured motor ability and motor learning of male and female triple transgenic (3×Tg-AD) and control (B6129SF1/J) mice on the accelerating Rotarod in a cross-sectional design at 2, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months of age. At all ages except for 2 months, transgenic mice performed better and had a steeper motor learning curve than controls. Female mice showed better motor performance than males, while males had a steeper learning curve than females. Age did not have a significant main effect on Rotarod performance. However, age and genotype showed an interaction, where the performance of 3×Tg-AD mice peaked at 6 months of age and decreased as age increased. The performance of controls was below that of 3×Tg-AD mice at each age. Behavioural differences seen in the 3×Tg-AD mice may help us to understand the development of neuromotor dysfunction in AD.Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer models, Amyloid beta, motor ability, motor learning, Rotarod, tau, transgenic, 3×Tg-AD mice

scholarly journals Nursing Staff’s Knowledge and Attitudes toward Dementia: A Pilot Study from an Indian Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedicte Sørensen Strøm ◽  
Knut Engedal ◽  
Lasse Andreassen
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Nursing Staff ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
People With Dementia

Background: Despite the increased prevalence of dementia in India, reports indicate little awareness of the disease. Symptoms are often misinterpreted or neglected, which could lead to late diagnosis, reducing the choices available regarding future care. Considering that most nurses caring for the elderly will work with people with dementia in the future, there is concern surrounding their ability to meet the needs of these patients, requiring them to obtain the necessary knowledge and positive attitudes for treatment. Aims: To describe the knowledge of and attitudes toward dementia among nursing staff working in residential care facilities for elderly populations in India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 nursing homes in India in which 15 nursing staff conducted self-assessments of their knowledge and attitudes toward dementia using the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and the Attitude toward Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Scale (DAS) for each respective assessment. Descriptive statistics were used to describe staffs’ attitudes and knowledge concerning dementia. Continuous variables were presented as means ± SD, while the categorical variables were presented as percentages. Results: Although the majority of the participants answered that Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured, about half reported that people with dementia, in rare cases, can recover from the disease. While all participants agreed that people with dementia can feel when others are kind to them, almost half disagreed that people living with dementia can enjoy life. Conclusion: These findings reveal that nursing staff have limited knowledge of dementia, but their attitudes toward people living with dementia tend to be positive.

scholarly journals Validation of the Italian Version of the Caregiver Abuse Screen among Family Caregivers of Older People with Alzheimer’s Disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gabriella Melchiorre ◽  
Mirko Di Rosa ◽  
Francesco Barbabella ◽  
Norma Barbini ◽  
Fabrizia Lattanzio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Older People ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Italian Version ◽  
People With Dementia

Introduction. Elder abuse is often a hidden phenomenon and, in many cases, screening practices are difficult to implement among older people with dementia. The Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE) is a useful tool which is administered to family caregivers for detecting their potential abusive behavior.Objectives. To validate the Italian version of the CASE tool in the context of family caregiving of older people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and to identify risk factors for elder abuse in Italy.Methods. The CASE test was administered to 438 caregivers, recruited in the Up-Tech study. Validity and reliability were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficients, principal-component analysis, and Cronbach’s alphas. The association between the CASE and other variables potentially associated with elder abuse was also analyzed.Results. The factor analysis suggested the presence of a single factor, with a strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86). CASE score was strongly correlated with well-known risk factors of abuse. At multivariate level, main factors associated with CASE total score were caregiver burden and AD-related behavioral disturbances.Conclusions. The Italian version of the CASE is a reliable and consistent screening tool for tackling the risk of being or becoming perpetrators of abuse by family caregivers of people with AD.

scholarly journals Neuropsychiatric symptoms of the elderly with Alzheimer's disease and the family caregivers' distress

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luana Baldin Storti ◽  
Débora Teles Quintino ◽  
Natália Michelato Silva ◽  
Luciana Kusumota ◽  
Sueli Marques
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Mixed Dementia ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Inventory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Family

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the relationship between the distress of the family caregiver and the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease or mixed dementia. Method: a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in the Geriatric and Dementias Clinic of a general tertiary hospital, with 96 elderly people with Alzheimer's disease or mixed dementia and their family caregivers. Questionnaires to characterize the elderly and caregivers, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory were used. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test were performed. Results: 68.7% of the elderly were women, average age 80.8 years, 56.2% had Alzheimer's disease and 43.7%, mixed dementia. Among caregivers, 90.6% were women, average age 56, 70.8% took care of parents and 64.6% lived with the elderly. There was a strong (r = 0.82) and significant (p <0.01) correlation between the total score on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the total score on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Distress and strong (r = 0.80) and significant (p <0 01) correlation between the total score on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Distress and the number of neuropsychiatric symptoms, i.e., the higher the number, frequency and severity of these symptoms in the elderly, the more intense is the caregiver distress. Conclusion: the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the elderly was related to increased distress in caregivers.

Associations of knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss and employment status with burden in African American and Caucasian family caregivers

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 847-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy B Scott ◽  
Olivio J Clay ◽  
Fayron Epps ◽  
Fawn A Cothran ◽  
Ishan C Williams
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
African American ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Family Caregiving ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample

Caring for an individual living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is especially challenging and impacts every aspect of the lives of the family caregivers. Family caregiving is defined as informal, unpaid care provided by family or friends to people with a chronic illness or disability. Caregiver burden, often experienced by a caregiver for a cognitively impaired family member, is multifaceted involving physical, psychological, social, and emotional problems. To date, little has been done to examine the relationship between the knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss and caregiver burden. To fill this gap, a cross sectional, correlational design was employed to collect data from a convenience sample ( N = 104) of African American and Caucasian dementia family caregivers. For this study, caregivers ranged from 25 to 89 years of age with African American caregivers possessing significantly lower levels of knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias compared to Caucasian caregivers, p < .001. There were 44 caregivers who scored 41 or greater on the Caregiver Burden Inventory corresponding to moderate to severe and higher levels of burden. Results of hierarchical multiple regression models indicated that higher levels Alzheimer’s disease knowledge was significantly associated with lower caregiver burden for all caregivers, B = −0.294, p < .01. Additionally, employment status was significantly associated with caregiver burden. This study highlights the benefits of including disease specific knowledge within educational components of dementia related interventions and programs involving families.

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