scholarly journals A Tale of Two Solitudes: Loneliness and Anxiety of Family Caregivers Caring in Community Homes and Congregate Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10010
Author(s):  
Sharon Anderson ◽  
Jasneet Parmar ◽  
Bonnie Dobbs ◽  
Peter George J. Tian
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Care Work ◽  
Loneliness Scale ◽  
Qualitative Responses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Congregate Care

We surveyed 604 family caregivers residing in the province of Alberta to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety, loneliness, and care work. We assessed anxiety with the Six-Item State Anxiety Scale and loneliness with the DeJong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale. The COVID-19 pandemic created two contexts giving rise to feelings of solitude for family caregivers. Family caregivers of Albertans living in private community homes were overwhelmed with caregiving needs while those caring for Albertans living in congregate settings were restricted from caregiving. The results indicated that before the COVID-19 pandemic, 31.7% of family caregivers were anxious and 53.5% were lonely. The proportions of those who were anxious rose to 78.8% and lonely to 85.9% during the pandemic. The qualitative responses of family caregivers connected being overwhelmed with care work either in community homes or as the designated essential caregiver in congregate living settings, as well as being unable to care in congregate care settings, with anxiety and loneliness. The caregivers reporting improvements in their health and relationships with care-receivers credited spending time with the receiver doing pleasant activities together, rather than purely performing onerous care tasks. Policymakers need to consider organizing health and community services to ensure family caregivers are not overwhelmed with care tasks or excluded from caring in congregate care.

scholarly journals The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Caregivers' Care Work, Anxiety, and Loneliness

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 553-553
Author(s):  
Sharon Anderson ◽  
Jasneet Parmar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Work ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
More Care ◽  
Detrimental Impact ◽  
Congregate Care

Abstract Our study examined the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures on family caregivers (FCGs) of frail older adults; specifically, their care work, anxiety, and loneliness all of which are associated with decreased wellbeing. Approximately 604 FCGs completed the survey and findings evidenced COVID-19 creating two solitudes. First, 73% of FCGs for individuals living with them were providing significantly more care during COVID-19. Second, those caring for residents in congregate settings were unable to care. Both situations, community-dwelling and congregate care, increased FCG distress and decreased wellbeing. Anxiety significantly increased from 36% pre COVID-19 to 54% during COVID-19. Loneliness increased from 46% to 85%. FCGs report their mental (58%) and physical (48%) health deteriorated. The detrimental impact of the pandemic and public health measures on FCGs caring at home and in congregate care, and their related needs, need immediate attention from both the health and social systems of care.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Family Caregivers of People With Dementia Regarding Symptom Management and the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 154-155
Author(s):  
Melissa Harris ◽  
Marita Titler
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Psychological Responses ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Nearly 98% of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) experience behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Although BPSD are linked to caregiver burden, perceptions of family caregivers on the impact of BPSD and their experiences addressing them in the home are unclear, and little is known about the impact of the pandemic on these experiences. Study aims were to explore: 1) the experiences of family caregivers of community dwelling older adults with ADRD regarding BPSD and how they manage BPSD in the home, and 2) how the pandemic impacted family caregivers’ experiences, BPSD of their relatives, and BPSD management. A qualitative, exploratory approach was used; 21 family caregivers were interviewed virtually. Content analysis and constant comparative methods were used. Ten major themes emerged: 1) Emotional and psychological responses of caregiver, 2) Loss, 3) Anticipation, 4) Reliance, 5) Learning to caregive, 6) Rewarding, 7) Emotional and psychological responses of care recipient 8) Cognition of care recipient, 9) Care strategies, 10) Caregiver perspectives. Caregivers did not use terms “behaviors” or “symptoms”, instead they described their relatives’ and their own experiences interdependently. Caregiving challenges presented before the pandemic (e.g. equivocal effects of medications, increasing care demands), many of which were compounded by the pandemic. Future research should explore the experiences of caregivers from a range of backgrounds. Findings illustrate communication barriers exist between clinicians, community services, people with ADRD and their families which may be addressed through clinician education, family-centered care planning, and policies to expand support service access.

Association of State and Trait Anxiety Between Patients Who Had Undergone Traumatic Amputation and Their Family Caregivers

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Tsoulou ◽  
Eirini Karamolegou ◽  
Michael Kourakos ◽  
Georgios Vasilopoulos ◽  
Maria Polikandrioti
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Traumatic Amputation ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Trait And State Anxiety ◽  
Positive Linear Correlation ◽  
State And Trait Anxiety ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this research was to explore the association between state and trait anxiety experienced by patients who had undergone traumatic amputation and their family caregivers. The sample studied consisted of 50 hospitalized patients who had undergone traumatic amputation and 50 family caregivers. The collected data included patients’ and caregivers’ characteristics and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. Fifty percent of patients and caregivers scored below 50 and 47, respectively (median), in trait anxiety. In terms of state anxiety, at least 50% of patients and caregivers scored below 56 and 50.5, respectively. These values indicate moderate to high levels of the impact of amputation on the trait and state anxiety of amputees and their caregivers. A positive linear correlation was found between the trait and state anxiety of the patients as well as between the trait and state anxiety of caregivers, as expected (ρ = 0.915, P < .001, and ρ = 0.920, P < .001, respectively). A statistically significant positive correlation was also observed between state patient anxiety and state anxiety of caregivers (ρ = 0.239 and P = .039) and between trait patient anxiety and trait anxiety of caregivers (ρ = 0.322 and P = .030). More specifically, as the patient’s anxiety score (either trait temporary) increases, the score of the caregivers’ anxiety increases and vice versa. Nurses should be aware of the association between anxiety of amputees and caregivers and, therefore, work in multidisciplinary teams to maximize clinical outcomes for patients after amputation and their families.

scholarly journals The Regulation of Paid Care Workers’ Wages and Conditions in the Non-Profit Sector: A Toronto Case Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Charlesworth
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Care Work ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

This paper aims to contribute to understandings of the broader regulatory context in which remuneration for care work is negotiated and determined. It draws on a case study of the non-profit sector of Toronto and moves beyond an exclusive focus on the formal regulation of the employment relationship to include other crucial regulatory mechanisms in the analysis. The paper attempts to map the intersections between these different forms of regulation and to identify the effects they produce in practice.The paper identifies four main regulatory forces that shape the quantum and basis of the wages and non-wage benefits paid to care workers. Firstly, industrial relations regulation plays an important role not only through the demarcation between unionized and non-unionized agencies, but in demarcations between smaller and larger agencies, between full-time and part-time workers and between regular and elect-to work workers. Secondly, the sources and structure of the social services funding market directly limit care worker remuneration and can work to trump the impact of unionization. Thirdly, the regulatory force of the gendered undervaluing of paid care work is reflected in and intertwined with changes in the protection offered to employees via industrial regulation. Finally, the gendered architecture of paid care work, including size of agency or whether the care work is undertaken in the home or in an institution, contributes to different outcomes for different groups of workers undertaking similar work.The interaction of these regulatory forces plays out in the wage and non-wage outcomes in all social services work at the labour market, industry and workplace levels. While the non-profit sector in Toronto provides one specific context in which this occurs, these regulatory forces, particularly the normative effect of gender, are present in other provincial and national contexts. This is at least partly because the community services funding market in other developed countries is underpinned by the same features of new public management present in Canada.

State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory State Anxiety Scale--Parent Version

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Shain ◽  
Maryland Pao ◽  
Mary V. Tipton ◽  
Sima Zadeh Bedoya ◽  
Sun J. Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
State Trait Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Parent Version

scholarly journals 407 - The Baycrest Quick-Response Caregiver Tool: The Role for a New Tool for Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 123-123
Author(s):  
Ken Schwartz ◽  
Robert Madan ◽  
Anna Berall ◽  
Marsha Natadira ◽  
Anna Santiago
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Quick Response ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
High Level ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Background:Responsive behaviours in dementia are associated with poor outcomes for the person with dementia (PWD) and caregiver burnout. Family caregivers need a variety of tools to manage responsive behaviours. The Baycrest Quick-Response Caregiver Tool was developed to provide caregivers with a tool that can be used in real time. In this study, the feasibility, impact, and effectiveness of this new tool were studied in family caregivers and health care providers (HCP) using quantitative and qualitative measures.Methods:Family caregivers were recruited and were asked to complete a pre-survey before being sent the link to the educational tool. One month after the telephone survey, caregivers were sent an online post-survey to gather their feedback on the tool and the impact of the tool on caregiver well -being. Healthcare providers were also recruited and reviewed the tool through an online feedback survey. The feasibility, impact, and effectiveness of the tool were assessed using quantitative and qualitative measures.Results:Caregivers had a moderate degree of and reported a high level of competence - these scores were maintained throughout the study. Caregivers reported that tool positively impacted their compassion towards the person with dementia (PWD), and that their interactions with improved. 100% of HCP who completed the feedback survey would recommend the tool to other HCP and to caregivers of PWD. The caregivers and HCP provided specific suggestions for improvement.Conclusions:The Baycrest Quick-Response Caregiver Tool was found to be feasible and helpful. It provides caregivers and HCP with an additional approach for responsive behaviours.

scholarly journals Impact of Sensitization of Family Caregivers upon Treatment Compliance among Geriatric Patients Suffering from Elder Abuse and Neglect

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Rishabh Garg ◽  
Khurshid Mattoo ◽  
Lakshya Kumar ◽  
Imran Khalid ◽  
Fawaz Baig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Treatment Satisfaction ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Treatment Compliance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elder Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Geriatric patients in various outpatient department (OPDs) have been found to agonize from elder abuse and neglect (EAN). Such suffering imposes depressive states within individuals, which in turn affects treatment compliance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of sensitization (psychotherapeutic) of family caregivers (FCGs) upon two denture treatment parameters (maintenance and treatment satisfaction) among EAN patients and compare the differences in outcome with non-abused patients. A survey of completely edentulous subjects (n = 860, aged 41–80 years) provided a sampling frame of 332 EAN patients from which 150 patients (including FCGs) fulfilling the study criteria were distributed (simple random, convenient) into two groups (Group A—control, Group B—test). FCG sensitization for subjects in Group B was performed by a clinical psychologist in 2–4 short (30 min) sessions. Demographic characteristics (frequency) were measured using a self-reported questionnaire, denture maintenance was measured using a denture hygiene index (scores), and treatment satisfaction was analyzed on a 10-point visual analog scale. Relevant data were calculated for means and absolute/relative frequencies. Any difference between two groups was estimated using an unpaired t-test while the level of relationship was determined by Karl Pearson’s test at a p-value of < 0.05. The results showed highest frequency (38.6%) for neglect, with elder neglect (EN) being most common (38.14% alone and 14% in combination). EN was found more if the FCG was a son (52%), in the age group (21–30 years), and with low education and low income (75%). Patients whose FCGs were counselled (Group B) demonstrated low denture plaque scores (mean = 1.38 ± 0.618), while demonstrating comparatively higher scores in six different parameters of treatment satisfaction. Differences between the two groups for both parameters were also found to be statistically significant. Psychotherapeutic counselling in the form of FCG sensitization brings better results of denture maintenance and treatment satisfaction.

scholarly journals Understanding the Link between Family Caregiver Quality of Life and the Care Provided to Older People With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 153-154
Author(s):  
Afeez Hazzan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiver ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Dementia is one of the most rapidly growing diseases in the United States. In 2018, the direct costs to American society of caring for older people with dementia was approximately $277 billion. Primary informal caregivers are mainly responsible for the care of older people with dementia including Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers perform a myriad of duties ranging from shopping for their loved ones’ groceries, helping with medications, and managing finances. The caregiving role becomes more demanding as the disease progresses over time, and studies have shown that the quality-of-life (QoL) experienced by caregivers of older adults who have dementia is lower than the QoL of caregivers for older people who do not have dementia. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no research conducted to investigate whether lower caregiver QoL affects the level or quality of care that caregivers provide to persons with dementia. In the current study, we interviewed family caregivers living in Rochester, New York to inquire about their quality of life and the care provided to older people living with dementia. Further, caregivers completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) as well as a draft questionnaire for measuring the quality of care provided to older people living with dementia. Both quantitative and qualitative findings from this study reveals important relationships between family caregiver QoL and the care provided, including the impact of social support and financial well-being. The study findings could have significant impact, particularly for the provision of much needed support for family caregivers.

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