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De Vincenzo C, Marian I, Piol S, Keisari S, Testoni I. Self-Help Groups within Nursing Homes: The Experiences of Family Caregivers in Northeastern Italy. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:485. [PMID: 37366737 DOI: 10.3390/bs13060485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Older adults and their family caregivers experience nursing home placement as a particularly critical time of life. The present study explored the experiences of family caregivers of nursing home residents taking part in a self-help group for caregivers. The sample was composed of six caregivers of older adults residing in a nursing home in the northeast of Italy. The respondents, aged 57 to 71, were part of a self-help group set up by the facility between 2017 and 2019. In this qualitative methodological design, we applied the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Two main themes emerged from the interviews: (a) challenges in constructing experience as caregivers; and (b) shared experiences as stabilizing tools. The findings highlight the importance of self-help groups in fostering the well-being of caregivers of older adults living in nursing homes. The self-help group enabled caregivers to deal with nursing home placement and the sense of guilt deriving from it; understand and accept the disabilities affecting their loved one; comprehend the experience of ambiguous loss; and learn to listen to their own needs, thus avoiding physical and emotional exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro De Vincenzo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ilenia Marian
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Piol
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Shoshi Keisari
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
- Emil Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Ines Testoni
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Emil Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Im EO, Kim HJ, Kim SY, Yau YC, Brewster GS, Chee W. Attitudes toward Alzheimer's disease and dementia caregiving and health outcomes: Racial and ethnic differences. Geriatr Nurs 2022; 48:296-302. [PMID: 36335856 PMCID: PMC9899498 DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.10.018] [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: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore racial/ethnic differences in the attitudes toward Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and dementia caregiving among midlife women who were family caregivers of persons living with AD (MWPLAD) in the U.S. and examine the associations of the attitudes to their health outcomes. This was a cross-sectional online survey study among 172 MWPLAD. The instruments included: the Attitude toward AD and Related Dementias Scale, the Questions on Attitudes toward AD Caregiving, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the EQ-5D-5L and the Midlife Women's Symptom Index. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. There were significant racial/ethnic differences in caregivers' attitudes toward dementia caregiving, health-related quality of life, and total severity scores of symptoms (p < .01). Controlling for covariates including race/ethnicity, caregivers' positive attitudes toward dementia caregiving were significantly associated with their health outcomes (p ≤ .05). Interventions for MWPLAD need to consider racial/ethnical differences in their attitudes toward dementia caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ok Im
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University.
| | - Hee Jung Kim
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University; College of Nursing, Yonsei University
| | - Seo-Yun Kim
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
| | - Yun Chan Yau
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
| | | | - Wonshik Chee
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
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Franzen S, Eikelboom WS, van den Berg E, Jiskoot LC, van Hemmen J, Papma JM. Caregiver Burden in a Culturally Diverse Memory Clinic Population: The Caregiver Strain Index-Expanded. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2021; 50:333-340. [PMID: 34700324 DOI: 10.1159/000519617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although qualitative studies have highlighted substantial barriers to dementia diagnosis and care in culturally diverse populations in Europe, quantitative studies examining the level of caregiver burden in these populations have been lacking thus far and are urgently needed. METHODS We compared the caregiver burden levels on the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI)-Expanded of 63 culturally diverse patient-caregiver dyads from a multicultural memory clinic with 30 native Dutch patient-caregiver dyads and examined the association between caregiver burden and determinants of burden. RESULTS Informal caregivers in the multicultural memory clinic cohort experienced a high level of caregiver burden (mean CSI-score multicultural cohort: 6.1 [SD: 3.3]; mean CSI-score native Dutch cohort: 4.8 [SD: 3.2]). Burden was significantly associated with impairment on proxy-rated and objective measures of cognitive functioning, such as the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline and the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale, and with instrumental activities of daily living. Burden was the highest in spousal caregivers. The positive subscale of the CSI-Expanded provided limited additional information. CONCLUSION Caregivers of culturally diverse patients experience a high level of caregiver burden, in particular at more advanced disease stages. This study highlights the need to screen culturally diverse caregivers in European memory clinics on caregiver burden to identify those in need of caregiver support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Franzen
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem S Eikelboom
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esther van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lize C Jiskoot
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Judy van Hemmen
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janne M Papma
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Kunicki ZJ, Gaudiano BA, Miller IW, Tremont G, Salloway S, Darling E, Broughton MK, Kraines MA, Hoopes R, Epstein-Lubow G. Differences in Burden Severity in Adult-Child Family Caregivers and Spousal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2021; 64:518-532. [PMID: 33820479 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2021.1912242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Researchers are continuing to focus on the nature and sources of burden of family caregivers of persons living with dementia. Caregiving stress and burden are assessed and addressed by social workers, including at high-risk times such as hospitalization. This study tested whether adult-child family caregivers experience greater perceived burden than spousal caregivers, accounting for risks of acute stress which can accompany hospitalization for their care recipient, where social workers may be meeting with family caregivers for the first time. Family caregivers (N = 76; n = 42 adult-child; n = 34 spouse) were recruited during care-recipient clinical treatment. The settings of care included an outpatient memory care program and an inpatient geriatric psychiatry service. Results showed that adult-child caregivers reported greater burden as compared with spousal caregivers, but no differences regarding depressive symptoms, perceived stress, or grief. After controlling for demographics and location of care, being an adult-child caregiver remained a predictor of greater burden severity. Being an adult-child family caregiver may place an individual at increased risk for experiencing high burden. These findings suggest socials workers should consider how adult-child caregivers may benefit from strategies to address and reduce burden, beyond those typically offered to spousal caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Kunicki
- Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Brandon A Gaudiano
- Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ivan W Miller
- Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Geoffrey Tremont
- Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephen Salloway
- Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Brown University, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ellen Darling
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Morganne A Kraines
- Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ryan Hoopes
- Department of Psychology, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gary Epstein-Lubow
- Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Contribution of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease to different domains of caregiver burden. J Neurol 2021; 268:2961-2972. [PMID: 33629181 PMCID: PMC8289810 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10443-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Caregiver burden is high among caregivers of PD patients (CPD). Neuropsychiatric symptoms are leading contributors to CPD burden, but whether different symptoms differentially impact domains of caregiver burden is not known. Our objective was to examine which neuropsychiatric symptoms and demographic factors contribute to different domains of caregiver burden in PD. Methods This was a cross-sectional online survey study. Participants were recruited from the Fox Insight (FI) study and were eligible if they identified themselves as a CPD. The primary outcome was the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) total score and its 5 sub-domain scores. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) assessed caregiver-reported neuropsychiatric symptoms in the care recipient. Multivariable linear regression models were used to characterize the associations between NPI-Q symptom severity scores and CBI scores. Covariates were caregiver age, sex, education, and caregiving duration. Results The sample consisted of 450 CPD, mean age 65.87 (SD 10.39) years, 74% females. After adjusting for covariates, CBI total score was predicted by NPI-Q total score (β = 1.96, p < 0.001); model adjusted R2 = 39.2%. Anxiety severity had the largest effect size [standardized β (sβ) = 0.224] on the time-dependency domain, which was also associated with female sex (sβ = − 0.133) and age (sβ = 0.088). Severity of disinhibition (sβ = 0.218), agitation (sβ = 0.199), and female sex (sβ = 0.104) were associated with greater emotional burden. Conclusion Our findings indicate that demographic characteristics and specific neuropsychiatric symptoms contribute differentially to domains of caregiver burden. Tailored interventions to support CPD are needed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00415-021-10443-7.
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Nguyen KH, Comans T. Making the Invisible Companion of People with Dementia Visible in Economic Studies: What Can We Learn from Social Science? Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9010044. [PMID: 33466492 PMCID: PMC7824847 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The dyadic perspective is important to understand the mutual influence and interdependence of both the person living with dementia and their care partner. This perspective is routinely adopted in social research programs for dementia and many dyadic interventions have been developed. However, economic evaluation and modelling to date has often failed to incorporate caregivers’ perspectives, and their respective costs and outcomes while giving care for the person with dementia. On the occasions that this has been done, caregivers were represented as “informal costs” associated with dementia. This limited perspective cannot incorporate two-way interactions of the dyad in economic evaluations of dementia programs. This paper provides an overview of the possible interactions between people living with dementia and care partners as discovered in social science literature in the past 20 years. We demonstrate the strength of the relationships and discuss strategies for incorporating the dyadic perspective in economic evaluations of dementia programs in the future.
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