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Gaugler JE, Borson S, Epps F, Shih RA, Parker LJ, McGuire LC. The intersection of social determinants of health and family care of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A public health opportunity. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:5837-5846. [PMID: 37698187 PMCID: PMC10840787 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
In this Perspective article, we highlight current research to illustrate the intersection of social determinants of health (SDOHs) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) caregiving. We then outline how public health can support ADRD family caregivers in the United States. Emerging research suggests that family care for persons with ADRD is influenced by SDOHs. Public health actions that address these intersections such as improved surveillance and identification of ADRD caregivers; building and enhancing community partnerships; advancing dementia-capable health care and related payment incentives; and reducing the stigma of dementia and ADRD caregiving can potentially enhance the health and well-being of dementia caregivers. By engaging in one or all of these actions, public health practitioners could more effectively address the myriad of challenges facing ADRD caregivers most at risk for emotional, social, financial, psychological, and health disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E. Gaugler
- Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure (BOLD) Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Soo Borson
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Early Detection, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fayron Epps
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Regina A. Shih
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, RAND Social and Behavioral Policy Program, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Lauren J. Parker
- BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lisa C. McGuire
- Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Singh Solorzano C, Cattane N, Mega A, Orini S, Zanetti O, Chattat R, Marizzoni M, Pievani M, Cattaneo A, Festari C. Psychobiological effects of an eHealth psychoeducational intervention to informal caregivers of persons with dementia: a pilot study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Aging Clin Exp Res 2023; 35:3085-3096. [PMID: 37943404 PMCID: PMC10721699 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02610-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The workload associated with caring for a person with dementia (PwD) could negatively affect informal caregivers' physical and mental health. According to the recent literature, there is a need for studies testing the implementation of affordable and accessible interventions for improving caregivers' well-being. AIMS This study aimed to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of an 8 week eHealth psychoeducation intervention held during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy in reducing the psychological burden and neuroendocrine markers of stress in caregivers of PwD. METHODS Forty-one informal caregivers of PwD completed the eHealth psychoeducation intervention. Self-reported (i.e., caregiver burden, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and caregiver self-efficacy) and cortisol measurements were collected before and after the intervention. RESULTS Following the intervention, the caregivers' self-efficacy regarding the ability to respond to disruptive behaviours improved (t = - 2.817, p = 0.007), anxiety and burden levels decreased (state anxiety: t = 3.170, p = 0.003; trait anxiety: t = 2.327, p = 0.025; caregiver burden: t = 2.290, p = 0.027), while depressive symptoms and cortisol levels did not change significantly. Correlation analyses showed that the increase in self-efficacy was positively associated with the improvement of caregiver burden from pre- to post-intervention (r = 0.386, p = 0.014). The intervention had a low rate of dropout (n = 1, due to the patient's death) and high levels of appreciation. DISCUSSION The positive evidence and participation rate support the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed eHealth psychoeducational intervention to meet the need for knowledge of disease management and possibly reduce detrimental effects on caregivers' psychological well-being. CONCLUSION Further placebo-controlled trials are needed to test the generalizability and specificity of our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Singh Solorzano
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Nadia Cattane
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Anna Mega
- UOC Neurologia, ULSS 9 Scaligera-Distretto 4, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefania Orini
- Alzheimer Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Orazio Zanetti
- Alzheimer Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rabih Chattat
- Department of Psychology, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Moira Marizzoni
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Brescia, Italy
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michela Pievani
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annamaria Cattaneo
- Biological Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Festari
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Via Pilastroni 4, 25125, Brescia, Italy
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Wang J, Liu W, Yu S, Li X, Ma Y, Zhao Q, Lü Y, Xiao M. Social Networks Effects on Spouse and Adult-Child Dementia Caregivers' Experiences: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2023; 24:1374-1380.e1. [PMID: 37236264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A large body of literature addresses experiences of spouse and adult-children caregiver of individuals with dementia (IWDs) but has not examined the role and strength of social networks in associations between spouses and adult-children caregivers' experience. Based on the stress process model, we aimed to explore the strength levels of social networks and their association with spouses/adult-children caregivers for IWDs. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with a total of 146 family caregivers of IWDs (78 adult-child, and 68 spouses) in China. METHODS Data collection comprised 4 sections: (1) care-related stressors (dementia stage, neuropsychiatric symptoms); (2) caregiver context; (3) social network, using the Lubben Social Network Scale; and (4) caregiving experience, using the short-form Zarit Burden Interview and 9-item Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale. Linear regression, mediation model analysis, and interactive analysis were performed to explore the mechanisms of associations between variables. RESULTS Spouses had weaker social network strength (β = -0.294, P = .001) and reported greater positive aspects of caregiving (β = 0.234, P = .003) than adult-children caregivers; no significant difference was found between them for caregiver burden. Mediation analysis suggests that associations between caregiver type and caregiver burden are indirect-only mediation effects of social networks (β = 0.140, 95% CI = 0.066-0.228). The social network strength suppressed the association between caregiver type and positive aspects of caregiving. The caregiver type/social network interaction statistically significantly (P = .025) affected the "positive aspects": a stronger social network was associated with more positive aspects of caregiving among the spouse subgroup (β = 0.341, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Social networks mediate responses to caregiving experiences among different care provider types and are vital intervention targets, especially for spousal caregivers. Our results can serve as references for identifying caregivers for clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Nursing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weichu Liu
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shiqi Yu
- Department of Nursing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuelian Li
- Department of Nursing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yingzhuo Ma
- Department of Nursing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qinghua Zhao
- Department of Nursing, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Lü
- Department of Geriatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Mingzhao Xiao
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Ortiz R, Zhao S, Kline DM, Brock G, Carroll JE, Seeman TE, Jaffee SR, Berger JS, Golden SH, Carnethon MR, Joseph JJ. Childhood environment early life stress, caregiver warmth, and associations with the cortisol diurnal curve in adulthood: The coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 149:106008. [PMID: 36599226 PMCID: PMC10029914 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.106008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life stress (ELS) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality across the lifecourse. Studies observing a relationship between ELS and stress physiology (cortisol), may help explain the connection to poor health outcomes, but have been limited by cortisol measures used. PURPOSE We examined the association between ELS measured by a Risky Family (RF) environment questionnaire, and adult diurnal cortisol profile inclusive of multiple cortisol measures. METHODS RF and cortisol were collected from Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study participants at follow-up (Year 15). Complete case (n = 672) data were included in multi-variable regression analyses with log transformed cortisol measures (outcomes) including wake-up cortisol, cortisol awakening response [CAR], AUC and five other cortisol diurnal curve measures. RESULTS Participants were age 39.9 + /- 3.7 years and 51.6% Black. For every 1 unit increase in RF, there was a 1.4% greater wake-up cortisol and flatter CAR after adjustment for age, sex, income, and smoking (B=0.014, p = 0.023; B=-0.014, p = 0.028, respectively). Each unit increase in caregiver warmth/affection was associated with a 6.9% higher (steeper) CAR (B=0.069, p = 0.03). Results remained significant after adjusting for other covariates except social support in adulthood. An interaction between child abuse and caregiver warmth was nearly significant (p = 0.068), such that for those with exposure to the greatest caregiver warmth and lowest child abuse, CAR was steepest CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that ELS is associated with altered cortisol regulation in adulthood. However, further research is needed to assess how healthy relationships throughout the life course may modulate cortisol regulation in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Ortiz
- Institute for Excellence in Health Equity, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Population Health, New York University, Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Songzhu Zhao
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - David M Kline
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Guy Brock
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Judith E Carroll
- The University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jane and Terri Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Teresa E Seeman
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sara R Jaffee
- Department of Psychology, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Berger
- Departments of Medicine and Surgery, New York University, Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sherita H Golden
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mercedes R Carnethon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joshua J Joseph
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
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