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Hu B, Bai X, Wang P. Childhood Adversities and Caregiving for Older Parents: Building Capacity for a Caring Society. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2024; 79:gbae083. [PMID: 38742591 PMCID: PMC11184527 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae083] [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: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigates the relationships between childhood adversities and the provision of informal care for older parents in later life in China. METHODS The data came from 4 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 20,047). Using multilevel logistic regression models, we examined the relationships between adverse experiences in childhood and both the propensity and intensity of caregiving for older parents. Drawing on the regression results, we then estimated the total number of caregivers for older parents in China. RESULTS Experiencing 1 additional childhood adversity was associated with a decrease of 8% in the odds of providing informal care (p < .001). The association between childhood adversity and caregiving remained significant after sociodemographic factors and later-life outcomes were controlled for. We estimated that 58.3 million middle-aged adults in China were providing care for parents in 2020. Had people experienced 1 fewer adversity in their childhood, there would have been 2.2 million more caregivers in 2020. Had they experienced 2 fewer adversities, there would have been 3.4 million more caregivers. DISCUSSION The factors associated with informal caregiving can be traced back to early-life experiences. To address the shortage of informal care supply, it is crucial to foster a caring culture from the very beginning of human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hu
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Xue Bai
- Institute of Active Ageing, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pengyun Wang
- Department of International Trade, School of Economics, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Bhattacharyya KK, Liu Y, Das Gupta D, Molinari V, Fauth EB. The Healthy Caregiver? A Positive Impact of Informal Caregiving Status on Cognitive Functions Over Time From the Midlife in the United States Study. J Aging Health 2023:8982643231209482. [PMID: 37864504 DOI: 10.1177/08982643231209482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The current study examined whether informal caregivers performed worse, better, or similar to non-caregivers on cognitive tests of executive functioning and episodic memory over 10 years. Methods: Data were from waves 2 (2003-04) and 3 (2013-14) of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (N = 2086). Multiple linear regression models examined whether caregiving at both waves 2 and 3 predicted better cognitive functioning at wave 3, than caregiving at only one time point or no caregiving (reference) while controlling for baseline covariates (i.e., sociodemographic, health, and functional status). RESULTS After controlling for covariates, caregiving at both waves was independently associated with better performance in episodic memory (b = .24, SE = .10, p = .013) but not executive function (b = -.06, SE = .05, p = .246). Discussion:The findings partially supported both healthy caregiver and stress process models, indicating caregiving may be associated with better episodic memory but not executive functioning over time among the middle-aged and older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yin Liu
- Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Research Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Debasree Das Gupta
- Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Research Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Victor Molinari
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Fauth
- Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Research Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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Hiyoshi A, Rostila M, Fall K, Montgomery S, Grotta A. Caregiving and changes in health-related behaviour. Soc Sci Med 2023; 322:115830. [PMID: 36930838 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115830] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Potential health risks for informal caregivers have been hypothesised to be partly related to adverse changes in health-related behaviour, but evidence is limited. We examined whether smoking, drinking, eating, physical activity or leisure pursuits change in relation to co-resident or out-of-home caregiving (for someone outside the household), and if associations differ by sex, educational attainment, and welfare state typology. We conducted a longitudinal study using six waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, collecting data repeatedly from 2004 to 2017 for adults aged 50 years and older living in 17 European countries (57,962 individuals). To control for measured and unmeasured within-individual time-invariant confounders, we used fixed effects logistic models to analyse the repeated measures of caregiving, behaviour and covariates and estimated odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Among male participants, unhealthy eating increased while smoking decreased [ORs 1.26 (95%CI 1.01-1.58) and 0.53 (0.36-0.78), respectively] in survey waves in which they provided co-resident care, compared with the waves that they did not. Among female participants, there was little change in behaviour between waves with and without co-resident caregiving. When providing out-of-home care, lacks of physical activity and leisure pursuits declined. But in the same time, drinking increased both men and women, and especially among individuals with lower educational attainment and residing in non-Nordic countries. To conclude, overall, increased drinking when providing out-of-home care was most consistent, especially among individuals with lower educational attainment and residing in non-Nordic countries. Otherwise, the associations varied by the type of care, behaviour and population subgroups. These findings indicated that not all caregivers are susceptible to behavioural changes, and that not all behaviour may be involved similarly in linking caregiving to health risks. This opens possibilities to target specific behaviour and groups to prevent adverse changes in health behaviour in caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Hiyoshi
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK; Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Mikael Rostila
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Katja Fall
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Scott Montgomery
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK; Clinical Epidemiology Division, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Alessandra Grotta
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Rautakallio-Järvinen P, Kunvik S, Laaksonen M, Salonoja M, Fogelholm L, Suominen M, Sievänen H, Vähä-Ypyä H, Nykänen I, Schwab U. Risk of Malnutrition and Insufficient Protein Intake among Older People Living at Home: Baseline Findings of the Power Meals Study. J Nutr Gerontol Geriatr 2022; 41:257-269. [PMID: 36459463 DOI: 10.1080/21551197.2022.2148803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status, nutrient intake and associated factors among older home care clients, caregivers and care recipients (≥65 years) living at home. There were a total of 78 participants, with a mean age of 78 ± 7.4 years. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), nutrient intake with a three-day food record, sarcopenia with a Simple Questionnaire to Rapidly Diagnose Sarcopenia (SARC) and depression with The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Almost one-third (32.1%) were at risk of malnutrition and 2.6% suffered from malnutrition. Impaired nutritional status was associated with depressive symptoms (β = -0.277, p = 0.015) and risk of sarcopenia (SARC points) (β = -0.401, p = 0.001). Mean protein intake was 0.9 ± 0.3 g/adjusted body weight/day. Intakes of protein and multiple vitamins and minerals were lower than recommended. In conclusion, a third of older people living at home were at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. Multiple physical, psychological and social factors in older adults were associated with nutritional status and protein intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Rautakallio-Järvinen
- Pori Health and Social Services, Pori, Finland.,School of Medicine, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | - Merja Suominen
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Sievänen
- The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland
| | - Henri Vähä-Ypyä
- The UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere, Finland
| | - Irma Nykänen
- School of Medicine, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ursula Schwab
- School of Medicine, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Clinical Nutrition, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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Bierman A, Lee Y, Penning MJ. Mental Health Benefits and Detriments of Caregiving Demands: A Nonlinear Association in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. J Aging Health 2022; 35:392-404. [PMID: 36112750 PMCID: PMC10150259 DOI: 10.1177/08982643221125258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This study examines whether the association between caregiving demands and mental health is non-linear and also, whether this non-linear association is contingent on the marital status of the caregiver. Methods We analyze the data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, applying OLS regression and quadratic interaction terms. Results A lower level of demands is salubriously associated with symptoms of depression and life satisfaction, but this association becomes deleterious at higher levels of demands. Moreover, a connection to a marital partner extends the benefits of caregiving demands and stems the adverse consequences. Discussion This research shows that acts of caregiving may not themselves be detrimental. Instead, the degree and way in which caregiving relates to mental health may vary by both the extent of the demands of the caregiving role and familial relationships in which caregivers are embedded.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yeonjung Lee
- University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
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Mortality, Morbidity and Health-Related Outcomes in Informal Caregivers Compared to Non-Caregivers: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19105864. [PMID: 35627399 PMCID: PMC9141545 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A systematic overview of mental and physical disorders of informal caregivers based on population-based studies with good methodological quality is lacking. Therefore, our aim was to systematically summarize mortality, incidence, and prevalence estimates of chronic diseases in informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers. Following PRISMA recommendations, we searched major healthcare databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE and Web of Science) systematically for relevant studies published in the last 10 years (without language restrictions) (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020200314). We included only observational cross-sectional and cohort studies with low risk of bias (risk scores 0–2 out of max 8) that reported the prevalence, incidence, odds ratio (OR), hazard ratio (HR), mean- or sum-scores for health-related outcomes in informal caregivers and non-caregivers. For a thorough methodological quality assessment, we used a validated checklist. The synthesis of the results was conducted by grouping outcomes. We included 22 studies, which came predominately from the USA and Europe. Informal caregivers had a significantly lower mortality than non-caregivers. Regarding chronic morbidity outcomes, the results from a large longitudinal German health-insurance evaluation showed increased and statistically significant incidences of severe stress, adjustment disorders, depression, diseases of the spine and pain conditions among informal caregivers compared to non-caregivers. In cross-sectional evaluations, informal caregiving seemed to be associated with a higher occurrence of depression and of anxiety (ranging from 4 to 51% and 2 to 38%, respectively), pain, hypertension, diabetes and reduced quality of life. Results from our systematic review suggest that informal caregiving may be associated with several mental and physical disorders. However, these results need to be interpreted with caution, as the cross-sectional studies cannot determine temporal relationships. The lower mortality rates compared to non-caregivers may be due to a healthy-carer bias in longitudinal observational studies; however, these and other potential benefits of informal caregiving deserve further attention by researchers.
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García-Castro FJ, Bendayan R, Dobson RJB, Blanca MJ. Cognition in informal caregivers: evidence from an English population study. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:507-518. [PMID: 33719753 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1893270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The relationship between caregiving and cognition remains unclear. We investigate this association comparing four cognitive tasks and exploring the role of potential explanatory pathways such as healthy behaviours (healthy caregiver hypothesis) and depression (stress process model). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Respondents were from English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (N = 8910). Cognitive tasks included immediate and delayed word recall, verbal fluency and serial 7 subtraction. Series of hierarchical linear regressions were performed. Adjustments included socio-demographics, health related variables, health behaviours and depression. RESULTS Being a caregiver was positively associated with immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency but not with serial 7. For immediate and delayed recall, these associations were partially attenuated when adjusting for health behaviours, and depression. For verbal fluency, associations were partially attenuated when adjusting for depression but fully attenuated when adjusting for health behaviours. No associations were found for serial 7. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings show that caregivers have higher level of memory and executive function compared to non-caregivers. For memory, we found that although health behaviours and depression can have a role in this association, they do not fully explain it. However, health behaviours seem to have a clear role in the association with executive function. Public health and policy do not need to target specifically cognitive function but other areas as the promotion of healthy behaviours and psychological adjustment such as preventing depression and promoting physical activity in caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Javier García-Castro
- Department of Psychobiology and Behavioral Sciences Methodology, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Rebecca Bendayan
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley, NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
| | - Richard J B Dobson
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley, NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, UK
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
- Health Data Research UK London, University College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - María J Blanca
- Department of Psychobiology and Behavioral Sciences Methodology, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
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Koumoutzis A, Mehri N. The Impact of Caregiving Intensity and Religiosity on Spousal Caregivers' Health and Mortality in the US (2004-2014). J Aging Health 2022; 34:640-652. [PMID: 35112885 DOI: 10.1177/08982643211052725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite adverse physical and mental health outcomes related to caregiving, family caregivers also experience lower mortality rates compared to noncaregivers. However, research has not yet examined the role of caregiving intensity and religiosity with health and mortality among spousal caregivers. METHODS Data include spousal caregivers (n=5,214 person-wave observations) and noncaregivers (n=50,311 person-wave observations) from the Health and Retirement Study (2004-2014 waves). Multinomial logistic regression was used to explore how caregiving intensity and religiosity were associated with health and mortality among spousal caregivers, compared health and mortality between caregivers and noncaregiving peers, and examined gender differences in these mechanisms. RESULTS Greater religious salience and attending religious services, although dependent on gender and caregiving intensity, are protective for caregivers' health and mortality. DISCUSSION Religiosity may buffer adverse effects of caregiving on health and mortality for spousal caregivers. Continuation of prior religiosity may enhance positive aspects of caregiving and decrease caregiver burden.
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The presence of a secondary caregiver differentiates primary cancer caregiver well-being. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:1597-1605. [PMID: 34546455 PMCID: PMC8732324 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06544-8] [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: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Informal caregivers play a fundamental role in the care of hematological cancer patients, but less is known about how secondary caregivers are involved. We assessed the presence or absence of a secondary caregiver, the types of caregiving activities performed by primary and secondary caregivers, and examined whether the presence of a secondary caregiver was associated with primary caregiver characteristics and well-being over time. METHODS A case series of hematological cancer patient-caregiver dyads (n = 171) were recruited from oncology clinics in Virginia and Pennsylvania and followed for 2 years. Multilevel models were developed to examine the associations between the presence of a secondary caregiver and the primary caregivers' well-being. RESULTS Most (64.9%) primary caregivers reported having secondary caregivers. Multilevel models showed primary caregivers without help had higher baseline mental and physical health, but experienced deteriorating physical health over time, compared to supported primary caregivers. Supported primary caregivers reported improvements in mental health over time that was associated with improvements in physical health. CONCLUSIONS Primary caregivers in good physical and mental health at the beginning of their caregiving journey but who have the least assistance from others may be at greatest risk for detrimental physical health effects long term. Attention to the arrangement of caregiving roles (i.e., who provides what care) over time is needed to ensure that caregivers remain healthy and well supported.
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Baby Boomers Who Provide Informal Care for People Living with Dementia in the Community. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189694. [PMID: 34574619 PMCID: PMC8467135 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
One in four Baby Boomers fills the informal caregiver role in the United States. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Baby Boomers who are informal caregivers for people living with dementia and compare their physical and mental health status to caregivers for persons with conditions other than dementia using 2015–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (N = 10,602). We identified caregiving status (assisting a family member/friend with a long-term illness or disability in the past month, managing personal care, and not caring for a child/grandchild) and whether the care recipient’s major health condition was dementia. We calculated weighted estimates and used chi-square tests and log-binomial regression for comparisons of selected characteristics. Among Baby Boomer caregivers, 15.4% were caring for someone with dementia. Dementia caregivers were more likely to be female, caring for a parent/parent-in-law, and providing care longer than caregivers for persons without dementia. After adjusting for sociodemographic and caregiving characteristics, the prevalence of fair/poor health, frequent mental distress, and chronic conditions were similar across types of caregivers. Although no differences in caregiver’s physical and mental health by care recipient’s dementia status were found, we should underscore the importance of maintaining Baby Boomer caregivers’ health and well-being.
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Cohen SA, Mendez-Luck CA, Greaney ML, Azzoli AB, Cook SK, Sabik NJ. Differences in Caregiving Intensity Among Distinct Sociodemographic Subgroups of Informal Caregivers: Joint Effects of Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Employment. J Gerontol Nurs 2021; 47:23-32. [PMID: 34191652 DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20210610-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
More than 40 million informal caregivers in the United States provide essential care to older adults. Recent research has identified substantial differences in caregiving intensity by gender, race/ethnicity, and employment status. Using intersectionality theory, the current study extends the existing literature by exploring the relationship between caregiving intensity and the unique experiences of individuals with different intersections of gender, ethnicity, and employment. We used generalized linear models to estimate multivariate associations between caregiving intensity assessed by three different measures (hours of caregiving per month and number of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs] assisted with) and the three sociodemographic factors of interest (race/ethnicity, gender, and employment status). Unemployed White males provided, on average, 77 fewer hours per month of care (p < 0.001) and assisted with 1.9 fewer IADLs (p = 0.004) than unemployed Black males. Employed White females provided 42.6 fewer hours per month of care (p = 0.002) than employed Black females and 49.2 fewer hours per month (p = 0.036) than employed females of other races. Study findings suggest that examining racial/ethnic or gender differences in isolation does not provide a true picture of differences in caregiving intensity. There is a critical need to understand how the intersections of race/ethnicity, gender, employment, and other sociodemographic factors shape the experiences of caregiver subgroups. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(7), 23-32.].
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Farina N, Williams A, Clarke K, Hughes LJ, Thomas S, Lowry RG, Banerjee S. Barriers, motivators and facilitators of physical activity in people with dementia and their family carers in England: dyadic interviews. Aging Ment Health 2021; 25:1115-1124. [PMID: 32067474 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1727852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Physical activity may have a number of physical and mental health benefits for people with dementia and their carers. However, there is limited evidence about factors that influence physical activity participation in these groups. This study therefore looks at the barriers, facilitators and motivators of physical activity in people with dementia, from both the perspective of the person with dementia and their carer. METHOD Thirty participants (15 sets of community-dwelling people with dementia and their family carers) were recruited from the South East of England. The participants took part in semi-structured dyadic interviews about their views of physical activity. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis at an individual level and comparisons were made between the groups. RESULTS Common motivator themes across persons with dementia and family carers were emotional and physical wellbeing, and social connectedness. Physical health was seen as a common barrier in both groups. Physical activity in the person with dementia was encouraged and supported by the family carer. For the carer, their caring role, and limited time acted as barriers to their participation. CONCLUSION Themes such as social connectedness, positive emotion and health were seen as key motivators to physical activity, which indicate that people with dementia and carers use physical activity as a means to maintain and improve their quality of life. Supporting family members to better facilitate such activities could encourage physical activity in people with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Farina
- Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Alice Williams
- Medical Education, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Kirsty Clarke
- Global and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Laura J Hughes
- Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Serena Thomas
- Research and Development, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Hove, UK
| | - Ruth G Lowry
- School of Sport Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Sube Banerjee
- Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
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Geographic distance and social isolation among family care-givers providing care to older adults in Canada. AGEING & SOCIETY 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x2100060x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Family care-giving is associated with social isolation, which can lead to adverse health and wellbeing outcomes among family care-givers. The role of geographic distance in care-giver social isolation (CSI) is unclear and has received mixed research findings. Framed by the Ecological Model of Caregiver Isolation, this study examined the relationship between geographic distance and CSI, including the interaction between geographic distance and care-giving intensity for CSI. Linear regression and analysis of covariance were used to test these hypotheses using a sub-set of family care-givers from the 2012 Canadian General Social Survey (N = 2,881). Care-givers living a short distance from receivers reported lower levels of social isolation than co-resident, moderate-distance and long-distance care-givers. Being involved in higher-intensity care-giving as the primary care-giver, undertaking more care-giving tasks and providing care more frequently resulted in higher CSI scores. Long- and moderate-distance care-givers reported greater CSI than co-resident and short-distance care-givers only when providing higher-intensity care-giving. Employing a granulated measure of geographic distance positioned within an ecological framework facilitates an understanding of the nuanced association between geographic proximity and CSI. Furthermore, the identified interaction effects between geographic distance and care-giving intensity on CSI further explicate the complexity of care-giving experiences. The findings are relevant for programmes supporting care-givers in different contexts, especially distance care-givers.
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Torres JM, Mitchell UA, Sofrygin O, Rudolph KE, López-Ortega M, Sharif MZ, Wong R, Glymour MM. Associations between spousal caregiving and health among older adults in Mexico: A targeted estimation approach. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2021; 36:775-783. [PMID: 33258494 PMCID: PMC8407372 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate associations between spousal caregiving and mental and physical health among older adults in Mexico. METHODS Data come from the Mexican Health & Aging Study, a national population-based study of adults ≥50 years and their spouses (2001-2015). We compared outcomes for spousal caregivers to outcomes for those whose spouses had difficulty with at least one basic or instrumental activity of daily living (I/ADL) but were not providing care; the control group conventionally includes all married respondents regardless of spouse's need for care. We used targeted maximum likelihood estimation to evaluate the associations with past-week depressive symptoms, lower-body functional limitations, and chronic health conditions. RESULTS At baseline, 846 women and 629 men had a spouse with ≥1 I/ADL. Of these, 60.9% of women and 52.6% of men were spousal caregivers. Spousal caregiving was associated with more past-week depressive symptoms for men (Marginal Risk Difference (RD): 0.27, 95% confidence internal [CI]: 0.03, 0.51) and women (RD: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.23). We could not draw conclusions about associations with lower-body functional limitations and chronic health conditions. On average, all respondents whose spouses had caregiving needs had poorer health than the overall sample. CONCLUSION We found evidence of an association between spousal caregiving and mental health among older Mexican adults with spouses who had need for care. However, our findings suggest that older adults who are both currently providing or at risk of providing spousal care may need targeted programs and policies to support health and long-term care needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oleg Sofrygin
- Division of Research, Oakland, CA, Kaiser Permanente
| | | | | | | | - Rebeca Wong
- Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas – Medical Branch
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15
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Persson J, Sheehan OC, Strömberg U, Roth DL. All-cause mortality for cohabiting spouses of stroke survivors: Evidence from Swedish national registries. Top Stroke Rehabil 2020; 28:432-442. [PMID: 33048024 DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2020.1834270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Spousal concordance for cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle behaviors may affect prevalence rates of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke. Spouses of stroke survivors, therefore, would be expected to have elevated mortality rates, but this has not been established. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether cohabitant spouses of stroke survivors have higher mortality rates compared to a matched reference cohort. METHODS Data for this population-based cohort study were extracted from Swedish national registries from 2010 to 2016. The national sample consisted of 13,049 spouses of first ever stroke survivors and a reference cohort of 51,685 cohabitant individuals from the general population matched by age, gender, and place of residence. Effects on mortality were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard survival analyses. RESULTS Female and male spouses of stroke survivors were found to have 5-year hazard ratios of death of 1.26 (95% confidence interval 1.17, 1.36) and 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.16, 1.33), respectively, when compared to the reference cohort. Both female and male spouses had higher mortality from diseases in the circulatory system compared to the reference cohort. CONCLUSION Spouses of stroke survivors have higher mortality rates than a matched reference population that persist for a minimum of 5 years. Policy-makers should acknowledge and address the health status of spouses when evaluating and planning the health and social care of stroke survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefine Persson
- Health Economics and Policy, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Orla C Sheehan
- Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ulf Strömberg
- Health Economics and Policy, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David L Roth
- Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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16
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Abstract
Objective: Spousal caregiving is increasingly common, and it is a role that can alter the nature of marriage in later life. Some may find spousal caregiving to be distressing, while others may have more positive experiences. Spousal caregiving, in particular, may be difficult due to caregiver burden as well as a loss of couplehood within the relationship. The current study used grounded theory methods to better understand the experience of and changes in couplehood among spousal caregivers.Method: Thirteen spousal caregivers completed semi-structured interviews. Spousal caregivers ranged in age from 53 to 85 (mean age = 66.00, SD = 9.04).Results: Qualitative analysis revealed four major themes upon evaluation of the interviews (couplehood, positive mindset, later life roles and transitions, and looking towards the future).Conclusion: These themes exemplified the complex interplay of couplehood and caregiving as well as the range of perceptions of couplehood. Results showed that while some caregivers struggle to find meaning and happiness within their caregiver role, and others said the illness/impairment bonded them together. Caregivers who reported a low sense couplehood discussed feeling trapped in their relationship, sad, and isolated. For some caregivers, a strong sense of couplehood may have helped them reframe the experience as an opportunity to be a role model for others and a reminder that their situation could be worse. Future research should focus on pre-illness couplehood and whether the nature of the impairment (e.g., cognitive, physical) is related to caregiver's couplehood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Gallagher
- Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
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17
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Fredman L, Ranker LR, Strunin L, Smith ML, Applebaum KM. Caregiving Intensity and Mortality in Older Women, Accounting for Time-Varying and Lagged Caregiver Status: The Caregiver-Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Study. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2020; 59:e461-e469. [PMID: 30649308 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gny135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Caregiving is associated with reduced mortality in recent studies. Investigations of caregiving intensity may reveal an underlying mechanism. However, studies of caregiving intensity and mortality have mixed results, perhaps due to imprecise measurement of caregiving intensity, not accounting for healthier persons likely having greater caregiving involvement, or temporal changes in intensity. We examined the relationship between caregiving intensity (based on tasks performed) and mortality, treating intensity and health status as time-varying, and lagging exposure. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Caregiving tasks among 1,069 women in the Caregiver-Study of Osteoporotic Fractures study (35% caregivers) were assessed at 5 interviews conducted between 1999 and 2009. Caregivers were categorized as high intensity if they assisted a person with dressing, transferring, bathing, or toileting; or as low intensity if they assisted with other instrumental or basic activities of daily living (I/ADLs). Alternatively, high intensity was defined as assisting with more than the median number of I/ADL tasks (median-based measure). Mortality was assessed through 2011. Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals based on concurrent intensity, and lagging exposure 2 years. RESULTS High-intensity caregivers had significantly lower mortality using the median-based measure after lagging exposure (aHR = 0.55, 0.34-0.89). Similar, but not statistically significant associations were observed in non-lagged analyses (aHR = 0.54, 0.29-1.04) and task-specific intensity (aHRs were 0.61 and 0.51). Low-intensity caregivers had similar mortality rates to noncaregivers in all analyses. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Among older women, high-intensity caregivers had lower mortality rates than noncaregivers. Whether this association extends to other populations merits investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Fredman
- Departments of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Lynsie R Ranker
- Departments of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Lee Strunin
- Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Meghan L Smith
- Departments of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Katie M Applebaum
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington
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18
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Kim G, Allen RS, Wang SY, Park S, Perkins EA, Parmelee P. The Relation Between Multiple Informal Caregiving Roles and Subjective Physical and Mental Health Status Among Older Adults: Do Racial/Ethnic Differences Exist? THE GERONTOLOGIST 2020; 59:499-508. [PMID: 29373738 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnx196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The present study examined whether race/ethnicity moderated the relation between type of caregiving role (none, one, or multiple care recipients) and subjective physical and mental health among older adults. DESIGN AND METHODS The sample was drawn from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. Racially/ethnically diverse adults aged 55 and older (n = 24,241) were categorized into 3 groups by caregiving roles: noncaregivers (n = 18,626; referent), caregivers with a single caregiving role (n = 4,023), and caregivers with multiple caregiving roles (n = 1,772). A 2-way analysis of covariance was conducted to test main and interaction effects. RESULTS After adjustment for covariates, noncaregivers reported significantly worse self-rated health and lower psychological distress than caregivers with any type of role. The interaction between race/ethnicity and caregiving roles was significant only for self-rated health (p < .05). Blacks with multiple caregiving roles had poorer self-rated health than those with a single caregiving role and better self-rated health than noncaregivers, whereas other racial/ethnic groups with multiple caregiving roles had better self-rated health compared to both noncaregivers and those with a single caregiving role. Our sensitivity analysis showed that controlling caregiving-related variables present only among caregivers eliminated the differences in self-rated health between the two types of caregivers. IMPLICATIONS Findings suggest that caregivers report better self-rated health than noncaregivers and that the relation of multiple caregiving roles with self-rated health differs by race/ethnicity, with blacks differing from other racial/ethnic groups. This implies that caregivers experience gain, or are selected into the role of caregiving by virtue of having good health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giyeon Kim
- Department of Psychology, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Rebecca S Allen
- Alabama Research Institute on Aging, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.,Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
| | - Sylvia Y Wang
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
| | - Soohyun Park
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
| | | | - Patricia Parmelee
- Alabama Research Institute on Aging, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.,Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
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19
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Polenick CA, Leggett AN, Webster NJ, Han BH, Zarit SH, Piette JD. Multiple Chronic Conditions in Spousal Caregivers of Older Adults With Functional Disability: Associations With Caregiving Difficulties and Gains. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 75:160-172. [PMID: 29029293 PMCID: PMC6909432 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbx118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) are common and have harmful consequences in later life. Along with managing their own health, many aging adults care for an impaired partner. Spousal caregiving may be more stressful when caregivers have MCCs, particularly those involving complex management. Yet, little is known about combinations of conditions that are most consequential for caregiving outcomes. METHOD Using a U.S. sample of 359 spousal caregivers and care recipients from the 2011 National Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving, we examined three categories of MCCs based on similarity of management strategies (concordant only, discordant only, and both concordant and discordant) and their associations with caregiving difficulties and gains. We also considered gender differences. RESULTS Relative to caregivers without MCCs, caregivers with discordant MCCs reported fewer gains, whereas caregivers with both concordant and discordant MCCs reported greater emotional and physical difficulties. Wives with discordant MCCs only reported a trend for greater physical difficulties. Caregivers with concordant MCCs did not report more difficulties or gains. DISCUSSION Spousal caregivers with MCCs involving discordant management strategies appear to be at risk for adverse care-related outcomes and may benefit from support in maintaining their own health as well as their caregiving responsibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Polenick
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Program for Positive Aging, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Amanda N Leggett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Program for Positive Aging, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Noah J Webster
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Benjamin H Han
- Department of Medicine, New York University
- Department of Population Health, New York University
| | - Steven H Zarit
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
| | - John D Piette
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Department of Veterans Affairs, HSR&D Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), Ann Arbor, MI
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20
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Szabo S, Lakzadeh P, Cline S, Palma Dos Reis R, Petrella R. The clinical and economic burden among caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease in Canada. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 34:1677-1688. [PMID: 31353572 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the clinical and direct medical economic burden among Alzheimer disease (AD) caregivers using real-world, longitudinal patient-level data in Canada. METHODS/DESIGN This retrospective observational study assessed the clinical and direct medical economic burden among individuals who cohabitate with AD patients ("AD caregiver cohort") compared with older adults who were cohabiting with another adult without dementia ("comparison cohort") using real-world data from the Southwestern Ontario database, a representative Canadian electronic health record (EHR) longitudinal EHR. RESULTS The AD caregiver cohort (n = 2749; mild AD: n = 2254, moderate AD: n = 302, and severe AD, n = 193) had a similar or higher level of clinical and economic burden than the comparison cohort (n = 12 152). The overall AD cohort and caregivers of patients with mild AD had a similar clinical burden to the comparison cohort. Those caregiving for more severely affected AD patients had an increased risk of comorbidities and required more medication, physician attention, and hospital encounters compared with caregivers of less severe AD patients and the comparison cohort. Mean annual costs were higher among the AD caregiver cohort than the comparison cohort, and those caregiving for moderate and severe AD patients incurred the highest costs. Overall mortality was higher in the AD caregiver cohort compared with the comparison cohort. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers of patients with mild AD had a similar clinical and direct economic burden to older adults who were not dementia caregivers, whereas the burden among caregivers of moderate and severe AD patients was much greater.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert Petrella
- Department of Family Practice, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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21
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O'Sullivan M, Brennan S, Lawlor BA, Hannigan C, Robertson IH, Pertl MM. Cognitive functioning among cognitively intact dementia caregivers compared to matched self-selected and population controls. Aging Ment Health 2019; 23:566-573. [PMID: 29381387 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1428937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Caregiving for a person with dementia is frequently used to model the impact of chronic stress on health, including cognitive functioning. However, the prevalence of typically healthier, self-selecting non-caregiving control groups could contribute to a picture of poorer caregiver performance and overstate the negative effects of stress. We investigated differences in cognitive performance between dementia caregivers and two groups of non-caregivers recruited using different sampling methods. DESIGN AND METHODS We compared cognitive function and psychological wellbeing among 252 spousal dementia caregivers with demographically matched non-caregiving control groups drawn from (1) a population study and (2) a self-selecting sample. Comparable cognitive measures included immediate and delayed recall, processing speed reaction time and verbal fluency. RESULTS Caregiver and non-caregiver performance was comparable on most cognitive domains. However, caregivers outperformed both control groups on processing speed (p ≤ .05) and reaction time (p ≤ .05), despite having higher levels of stress and depression (ps < .001). Furthermore, caregivers had significantly better free recall than self-selecting controls (p < .001). IMPLICATIONS Our results, overall, do not support the idea that caregiving is associated with stress-induced cognitive deficits. Rather, the trend toward better caregiver performance is consistent with the healthy caregiver hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O'Sullivan
- a Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme , School of Psychology , Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Ireland
| | - Sabina Brennan
- a Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme , School of Psychology , Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Ireland
| | - Brian A Lawlor
- a Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme , School of Psychology , Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Ireland
| | - Caoimhe Hannigan
- a Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme , School of Psychology , Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Ireland
| | - Ian H Robertson
- a Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme , School of Psychology , Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Ireland
| | - Maria M Pertl
- a Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme , School of Psychology , Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN) , Trinity College Dublin , Dublin 2 , Ireland.,b Department of Psychology , Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , Dublin 2 , Ireland
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22
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Shaffer KM, Nightingale CL. Comparison of Healthcare Utilization Between Informal Caregivers and Non-Caregivers: An Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey. J Aging Health 2019; 32:453-461. [PMID: 30793639 DOI: 10.1177/0898264319830262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The demands of providing unpaid care for someone with a disabling health condition (i.e., informal caregiving) can limit attention to one's own health needs. Using a nationally representative survey, this study examines whether caregivers report different healthcare utilization relative to non-caregivers. Method: Participants in the Health Information National Trends Survey 5, Cycle 1 reported whether they provided unpaid care and healthcare utilization outcomes. Logistic regressions and chi-square tests with jackknife variance estimation were used. Results: Caregivers (N = 391) did not differ from non-caregivers (N = 2,894) in time since routine checkup or number of healthcare appointments in the past year (p values > .25). Among caregivers, number of healthcare appointments differed according to caregivers' relationship to the care recipient (p = .04). Discussion: Findings suggest that informal caregivers access routine healthcare at a frequency similar to non-caregivers. Further research should determine whether this utilization is optimal, or whether increased utilization during caregiving might help attenuate caregivers' longer term morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Shaffer
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.,Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Cook SK, Cohen SA. Sociodemographic Disparities in Adult Child Informal Caregiving Intensity in the United States: Results from the New National Study of Caregiving. J Gerontol Nurs 2018; 44:15-20. [DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20180808-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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24
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Cook SK, Snellings L, Cohen SA. Socioeconomic and demographic factors modify observed relationship between caregiving intensity and three dimensions of quality of life in informal adult children caregivers. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2018; 16:169. [PMID: 30157852 PMCID: PMC6116379 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-018-0996-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between informal caregiving intensity and caregiver health is well-established, though research suggests this may vary by caregiver demographics. The aim of this exploratory study is to assess the association between caregiving intensity and three dimensions of quality of life outcomes, and determine how caregiver sociodemographics change the nature of this relationship among informal adult children caregivers. Methods Using the 2011 National Study of Caregiving, associations between caregiving intensity and quality of life were examined in caregivers providing care to an aging parent (n = 1014). Logistic regression was used to model caregiver quality of life on caregiving intensity using an ordinal composite measure of caregiving activities, including Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), hours per month, and length of caregiving, stratified by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and family income. Odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results Associations between caregiving intensity and quality of life varied substantially by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and annual family income. White caregivers were significantly more likely to experience negative emotional burden when providing high intensity care (ADL: 1.92, Hours: 3.23). Black caregivers were more likely to experience positive emotions of caregiving (ADL: 2.68, Hours: 2.60) as well as younger caregivers (Hours: 8.49). Older caregivers were more likely to experience social burden when providing high ADL, IADL, and monthly hours of care. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the complex and multi-dimensional nature of caregiving, and emphasize the need to develop approaches that are tailored to the specific health needs of subpopulations of informal caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Cook
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Ave, 6th floor, Nashville, TN, 3720, USA.
| | - Lauren Snellings
- Center on Society and Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, One Capitol Square, 830 E. Main Street, 5th floor, P.O. Box 980212, Richmond, VA, 23298-0212, USA
| | - Steven A Cohen
- Health Studies Program
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, 25 W. Independence Way, Kingston, RI, 0281, USA
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25
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Alves EVDC, Flesch LD, Cachioni M, Neri AL, Batistoni SST. The double vulnerability of elderly caregivers: multimorbidity and perceived burden and their associations with frailty. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GERIATRIA E GERONTOLOGIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/1981-22562018021.180050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Objective: To identify if multimorbidity and burden are associated with a greater likelihood of frailty in elderly caregivers of other elderly persons within the family context. Method: 148 elderly caregivers caring for other elderly persons [M=69.7 (±7.0) years old] were recruited using a criterion of convenience in public and private health services in the city of Campinas and surrounding areas. Information was gathered about socio-demographic context, context of care, physical health, care burden using the Zarit Burden Scale, and frailty, measured by subjective evaluation. Four groups of vulnerability were created based on the presence or absence of multimorbidities and high or low burden, in order to verify which group was most strongly associated with frailty. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, measurements of association and multivariate hierarchical logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 55.4%. The Zarit Burden Scale presented a median of 23 out of a total of 88 points. Of the sample, 35.1% were frail, 46.0% intermediate, and 18.9% robust. Elderly caregivers with multimorbidity and high burden had a greater probability of frailty (OR=3.6; CI 1.55-8.36), followed by those with multimorbidity and low burden (OR=2.8; CI 1.13-6.79). Conclusion: The sensation of burden among caregivers was reduced; those with double vulnerability were most prevalent among the four groups and had the greatest association with the occurrence of frailty; multimorbidity was associated with frailty. If combined with perceived burden, however, the odds ratios of the elderly caregivers being frail increased.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Meire Cachioni
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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26
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Roth DL, Brown SL, Rhodes JD, Haley WE. Reduced mortality rates among caregivers: Does family caregiving provide a stress-buffering effect? Psychol Aging 2018; 33:619-629. [PMID: 29723004 PMCID: PMC6002922 DOI: 10.1037/pag0000224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Multiple studies have confirmed a seemingly paradoxical finding that family caregivers have lower mortality rates than comparable samples of noncaregivers. Caregivers are often also found to report more symptoms of depression and higher stress levels, but psychological distress and mortality are rarely examined in the same study. This study tests a possible mechanism for the mortality effect by applying a theoretical model that posits psychological and physiological stress-buffering benefits from prosocial helping behaviors. Participants in the population-based REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study included 3,580 family caregivers who were individually matched to 3,580 noncaregivers on 15 demographic, health history, and health behavior variables using a propensity score matching algorithm. Baseline measures of depressive symptoms and perceived stress levels were also collected. The results indicated that caregivers reported significantly more depressive symptoms and higher perceived stress levels than propensity-matched noncaregivers (ps < .0001). However, consistent with our previous analysis (Roth et al., 2013), an analysis of 7-year survival rates showed that caregivers had a 16.5% lower mortality rate than noncaregivers (hazard ratio = 0.835, 95% CI = 0.719, 0.970). Significant caregiving*psychological distress interaction effects supported the stress-buffering hypothesis. Both depressive symptoms and perceived stress scores were significant predictors of mortality for the matched noncaregivers (ps < .0001), but not for the caregivers (ps > .49). Family caregiving appears to be similar to other prosocial helping behaviors in that it provides stress-buffering adaptations that ameliorate the impact of stress on major health outcomes such as mortality. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Roth
- Center on Aging and Health, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University
| | | | - J David Rhodes
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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27
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Song Y, Harrison SL, Martin JL, Alessi CA, Ancoli-Israel S, Stone KL, Fredman L. Changes in Caregiving Status and Intensity and Sleep Characteristics Among High and Low Stressed Older Women. J Clin Sleep Med 2017; 13:1403-1410. [PMID: 29065957 DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.6834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES To examine whether change in caregiving status and intensity among community-dwelling older women was associated with sleep characteristics at follow-up, and whether perceived stress modified these associations. METHODS The sample included 800 women aged 65 years or older who completed baseline and second follow-up interviews in the Caregiver-Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (Caregiver-SOF). Respondents were categorized into four groups based on change in caregiving status and intensity between the two time points: continuous noncaregivers, ceased caregivers, low-intensity caregivers (continuous caregivers with low/decreased intensity), and high-intensity caregivers (continuous caregivers with high/increased intensity or new caregivers). Perceived Stress Scale scores at the second follow-up were dichotomized into high versus low stress. Sleep outcomes at SOF Visit 8 (which overlapped with Caregiver-SOF second follow-up) included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score; and actigraphy-measured total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, and sleep latency. RESULTS Multivariate-adjusted sleep characteristics did not differ significantly across caregiving groups. Among high-intensity caregivers, however, those with high stress levels had significantly longer wake after sleep onset (mean 82.3 minutes, 95% confidence interval = 70.9-93.7) than those with low stress levels (mean 65.4 minutes, 95% confidence interval = 55.2-75.7). No other sleep outcomes were modified by stress levels. Further, higher stress was significantly associated with worse Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, regardless of the caregiving group. CONCLUSIONS Overall, sleep characteristics did not differ among noncaregivers, ceased caregivers, or those with high-/low-intensity caregiving among older women. However, subgroups of caregivers may be vulnerable to developing sleep problems, particularly those with high stress levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonsu Song
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, North Hills, California.,David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephanie L Harrison
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Jennifer L Martin
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, North Hills, California.,David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Cathy A Alessi
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, North Hills, California.,David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sonia Ancoli-Israel
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Katie L Stone
- Research Institute, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Lisa Fredman
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
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28
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O'Reilly D, Rosato M, Maguire A. Caregiving reduces mortality risk for most caregivers: a census-based record linkage study. Int J Epidemiol 2016; 44:1959-69. [PMID: 26371207 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyv172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Countries with advanced welfare systems are increasingly relying on the input of informal caregivers, and there are growing concerns for their mental and physical wellbeing. However, the evidence about the relationship between caregiving and mortality risk is less clear. METHODS A census-based record linkage study with mortality follow-up of 33 months: participants totalled 1 122 779 individuals including 183 842 caregivers, of whom 28.2% (51 927) were providing 50 or more hours caregiving per week. RESULTS Over 33 months of follow-up a total of 29 335 deaths occurred, 2443 of these among caregivers. Mortality risk for caregivers was lower than for non-caregivers [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.72: 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69, 0.75 in the fully adjusted model], and the lower risk was evident even for those providing 50 or more h of caregiving per week (adjusted HR = 0.77: 95% CI = 0.71, 0.83 and 0.76: 95% CI = 0.69, 0.83 for men and women, respectively). There was no evidence that this relationship varied by either age or marital status. Even among people with chronic health problems such as poor mental health, caregivers had lower mortality risk than non-caregivers. Caregiving is associated with reduced mortality risk for most causes—for example, the risk of death from ischaemic heart disease for caregivers providing 50 or more h was 27% and 31% lower for men and for women, respectively, compared with non-caregivers (HR = 0.73: 95% CI = 0.60, 0.88 and HR = 0.69: 95% CI = 0.51, 0.92). CONCLUSIONS This large population-based study confirms that for the majority of caregivers the beneficial effects of caregiving in terms of short-term mortality risk appear to outweigh any negative effects, even among people with significant health problems. These results underscore the need for a reappraisal of how caregiving is perceived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dermot O'Reilly
- Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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Danilovich M, Xiang X, Pinto D. Factors That Influence Self-Reported Health Changes With Caregiving. J Aging Health 2016; 29:1444-1458. [PMID: 27511956 DOI: 10.1177/0898264316663576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined factors associated with the self-reported change in health status as a result of caregiving. METHOD Multinomial logistic regression were performed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, care recipients' characteristics, and caregiving experiences that affect caregivers' perceptions of health affected by caregiving using data from 1,087 caregiver respondents in the Caregiving in the U.S. 2015 data set. Data were collected through an online or telephone survey of randomly selected adults in 50 states. RESULTS Worsened self-reported health with caregiving occurred for caregivers aged 50 to 64, racial/ethnic minorities, those who lived within 20 min of the care recipient's home, the presence of cognitive deficits, prolonged caregiving, and limited availability of accessible and affordable care services. Importantly, the feeling of choice in taking on care responsibilities was associated with an over fourfold increase in the odds ratio (OR) of better health in response to caregiving (OR = 4.21; confidence interval [CI] = [1.95, 9.08]; p < .001). DISCUSSION Results suggest that improving accessibility of social service resources to assist caregivers in being better supported and having more choice in caregiving responsibilities may foster a positive change in health status with caregiving.
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Fredman L. Interconnections Between My Research and Experience as a Caregiver: Impacts on Empirical and Personal Perspectives. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2016; 57:40-45. [PMID: 27497449 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnw113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Shortly after I received my first R01 grant to study the health effects of caregiving, my sister and I became caregivers to our father. For the next 13 years, we helped him with activities of daily living (ADLs), accompanied him to doctors' appointments, arranged for home health care, and finally for home hospice. At first, I was able to connect our assistance with ADLs, frustration with coordinating his care, and our psychological stress with my epidemiologic studies. My familiarity with the language of caregiving and long-term care helped us to navigate the medical and home care systems, and to be advocates for my father. However, as my father's health declined, I felt an increasing disconnect between my research and my experience: communicating with physicians and other care providers, responding to crises and conversations with my sister about placing our father in a nursing home were greater sources of stress than my father's dementia. These discrepancies made me realize that I could help caregivers more by helping them to negotiate these challenges than through performing quantitative research. So I enrolled in a counseling psychology program. My manuscript will chronicle the ways that caregiving changed me; how my professional work did and did not help me as a caregiver; how the developmental and family theories that I am learning in my psychology classes have expanded my understanding of stressors facing adult child caregivers, and how this entire experience ties into generativity and Third Chapter careers that build on midlife experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Fredman
- Epidemiology Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts.
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Shah SM, Carey IM, Harris T, DeWilde S, Victor CR, Cook DG. The mental health and mortality impact of death of a partner with dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2016; 31:929-37. [PMID: 26833866 DOI: 10.1002/gps.4411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Caring for a partner with dementia and partner bereavement are independently associated with poor health. An understanding of the health effects of living with a partner dying with dementia can help optimise support. We describe health in the year before and after loss of a partner with dementia compared with other bereavements. METHODS In a UK primary care database, 2624 older individuals whose partner died with dementia during 2005-2012 were matched with 7512 individuals experiencing bereavement where the deceased partner had no dementia recorded. RESULTS Prior to bereavement, partners of the deceased with dementia were more likely to be diagnosed with depression (OR 2.31, 1.69-3.14) and receive psychotropic medication (OR 1.34, 1.21-1.49) than partners from bereavements without dementia. In contrast, psychotropic medication initiation two months after dementia bereavement was lower (HR 0.69, 0.56-0.85). Compared with other bereaved individuals, mortality after bereavement was lower in men experiencing a dementia bereavement (HR 0.68, 0.49-0.94) but similar in women (HR 1.02, 0.75-1.38). Prior to bereavement, those who died with dementia were less likely to receive palliative care (OR 0.47, 0.41-0.54). CONCLUSION In the year before bereavement, partners of individuals dying with dementia experience poorer mental health than those facing bereavement from other causes, and their partner is less likely to receive palliative care. In the year after, individuals whose partner died with dementia experience some attenuation of the adverse health effects of bereavement. Services need to address the needs of carers for individuals dying with dementia and improve access to palliative care. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil M Shah
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Iain M Carey
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Tess Harris
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Stephen DeWilde
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Christina R Victor
- School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, London, UK
| | - Derek G Cook
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
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Capistrant BD. Caregiving for Older Adults and the Caregivers’ Health: an Epidemiologic Review. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40471-016-0064-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Pertl MM, Lawlor BA, Robertson IH, Walsh C, Brennan S. Risk of Cognitive and Functional Impairment in Spouses of People With Dementia: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2015; 28:260-71. [PMID: 26071444 DOI: 10.1177/0891988715588834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Caring for a spouse with dementia is a chronic stressor that may compromise caregivers' own cognitive functioning and capacity to provide adequate care. We examined whether having (i) a spouse with dementia and (ii) a spouse who requires assistance with activities of daily living predicted cognitive and functional impairments in respondents to the Health and Retirement Study (n = 7965). Respondents who had a spouse who requires care had poorer cognitive functioning, whereby this relationship was significantly stronger for male respondents. Having a spouse with dementia moderated the relationship between income and cognition and predicted caregiver functional impairment, though not when depression was controlled. Although we found no significant differences on any individual cognitive domains between 179 dementia caregivers and sociodemographically matched noncaregivers, our findings suggest that caregivers, especially men, and low-income individuals who have a spouse with dementia are more vulnerable to adverse cognitive outcomes. Targeting depression in spouses of people with dementia may help to prevent functional impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Pertl
- Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme, School of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Brian A Lawlor
- Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme, School of Medicine, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ian H Robertson
- Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme, School of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Cathal Walsh
- Department of Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sabina Brennan
- Neuro-Enhancement for Independent Lives (NEIL) Programme, School of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Keglovits M, Somerville E, Stark S. In-Home Occupational Performance Evaluation for Providing Assistance (I-HOPE Assist): An Assessment for Informal Caregivers. Am J Occup Ther 2015; 69:6905290010. [PMID: 26356664 DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2015.015248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Home modification interventions have the potential to provide support to informal caregivers; however, the impact of these interventions on caregivers is understudied, and adequate assessments are lacking. This study describes the development and preliminary psychometric properties of a performance-based assessment that identifies environmental barriers to performance of daily caregiving activities. An existing assessment of person-environment fit was modified using key informant interviews and was administered to 31 informal caregivers. The In-Home Occupational Performance Evaluation for Providing Assistance demonstrated reliability across raters, good internal consistency for all subscales, and convergent validity with existing measures. This assessment has the potential to guide home modification interventions and measure the impact on informal caregiving in the home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Keglovits
- Marian Keglovits, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO;
| | - Emily Somerville
- Emily Somerville, MSOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Susan Stark
- Susan Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Neurology, and Social Work, Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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Lyons JG, Heeren T, Stuver SO, Fredman L. Assessing the agreement between 3-meter and 6-meter walk tests in 136 community-dwelling older adults. J Aging Health 2015; 27:594-605. [PMID: 25376604 PMCID: PMC4522919 DOI: 10.1177/0898264314556987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Walking speed is an important marker of functionality that is measured over courses of varying lengths, but it is unclear if course length affects measured pace. METHOD A total of 136 older adults completed two consecutive trials each of 3-m and 6-m walking courses, the order of which was randomly assigned. We calculated concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) and created Bland-Altman plots to evaluate the relationship between the two course distances. RESULTS Average walking speed was faster for the 6-m course and the second trial of each course. There was high concordance between the first and second trials for both the 3-m and 6-m courses. DISCUSSION The 3- and 6-m courses had excellent test-retest reliability and faster walking speed in later than earlier trials. Higher concordance between courses for later trials suggests the utility of practice trials and adjusting for course length when combining walking speed measurements between different course lengths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim Heeren
- Boston University School of Public Health, MA, USA
| | | | - Lisa Fredman
- Boston University School of Public Health, MA, USA
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Thomas GPA, Saunders CL, Roland MO, Paddison CAM. Informal carers' health-related quality of life and patient experience in primary care: evidence from 195,364 carers in England responding to a national survey. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2015; 16:62. [PMID: 25975608 PMCID: PMC4446949 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-015-0277-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background We aim to describe the health-related quality of life of informal carers and their experiences of primary care. Methods Responses from the 2011-12 English General Practice Patient Survey, including 195,364 informal carers, were analysed using mixed effect logistic regressions controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and social deprivation to describe carer health-related quality of life (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression, measured using EQ-5D) and primary care experience (access, continuity and communication). Results Informal carers reported poorer health-related quality of life than non-carers of similar age, gender, ethnicity and social deprivation. Increasing caring commitment was associated with worse EQ-5D scores, with carers of 50+ hours a week scoring 0.05 points lower than non-carers (95 % CI 0.05 to 0.04), equivalent to 18 fewer days of full health annually. Considering each domain of EQ-5D separately, carers of 50+ hours/week were more likely to report pain OR = 1.53 (1.50-1.57), p < 0.0001, and anxiety/depression OR = 1.69 (1.66-1.73), p < 0.0001, than non-carers. Younger carers scored lower on EQ-5D than non-carer peers but the converse was true among over-85s. In the most deprived areas carers reported the equivalent of 37 fewer days of full health annually than carers in the most affluent areas. On average, carers reported poorer patient experiences in all areas of primary care than non-carers (odds ratios 0.84-0.97), with this difference being most marked in the domain of access. Conclusions Informal carers experience a double disadvantage of poorer health-related quality of life and poorer patient experience in primary care. We find no evidence for health benefits of caregiving. We recommend physicians identify and treat carer health problems, including pain and anxiety/depression, particularly among young, deprived and high time-commitment carers. Improving patient experience for carers, including access to primary care, should be a priority. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12875-015-0277-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwilym P A Thomas
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Martin O Roland
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Charlotte A M Paddison
- Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Department of Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
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Fredman L, Lyons JG, Cauley JA, Hochberg M, Applebaum KM. The Relationship Between Caregiving and Mortality After Accounting for Time-Varying Caregiver Status and Addressing the Healthy Caregiver Hypothesis. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2015; 70:1163-8. [PMID: 25878033 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glv009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown inconsistent associations between caregiving and mortality. This may be due to analyzing caregiver status at baseline only, and that better health is probably related to taking on caregiving responsibilities and continuing in that role. The latter is termed The Healthy Caregiver Hypothesis, similar to the Healthy Worker Effect in occupational epidemiology. We applied common approaches from occupational epidemiology to evaluate the association between caregiving and mortality, including treating caregiving as time-varying and lagging exposure up to 5 years. METHODS Caregiving status among 1,068 women (baseline mean age = 81.0 years; 35% caregivers) participating in the Caregiver-Study of Osteoporotic Fractures study was assessed at five interviews conducted between 1999 and 2009. Mortality was determined through January 2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for sociodemographics, perceived stress, and functional limitations. RESULTS A total of 483 participants died during follow-up (38.8% and 48.7% of baseline caregivers and noncaregivers, respectively). Using baseline caregiving status, the association with mortality was 0.77, 0.62-0.95. Models of time-varying caregiving status showed a more pronounced reduction in mortality in current caregivers (hazard ratios = 0.54, 0.38-0.75), which diminished with longer lag periods (3-year lag hazard ratio = 0.68, 0.52-0.88, 5-year lag hazard ratios = 0.76, 0.60-0.95). CONCLUSIONS Overall, caregivers had lower mortality rates than noncaregivers in all analyses. These associations were sensitive to the lagged period, indicating that the timing of leaving caregiving does influence this relationship and should be considered in future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Fredman
- Epidemiology Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts.
| | - Jennifer G Lyons
- Epidemiology Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Jane A Cauley
- Epidemiology Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marc Hochberg
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
| | - Katie M Applebaum
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health. Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Lyons JG, Cauley JA, Fredman L. The Effect of Transitions in Caregiving Status and Intensity on Perceived Stress Among 992 Female Caregivers and Noncaregivers. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2015; 70:1018-23. [PMID: 25796050 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glv001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Informal caregiving, a chronic stressor, is also a dynamic experience, as caregivers may repeatedly enter and exit the role and alter the amount of care they provide. Changes in caregiving status and intensity influence stress, but few studies have evaluated the simultaneous impact of these changes on perceived stress. METHODS A total of 1,027 female caregivers and noncaregivers (mean age = 81.7), of which 992 were included in the final sample, were followed for at least two consecutive annual interviews (ie, one interval) and up to five interviews over a 9-year period. Caregiving status was measured by self-report of whether the respondent assisted someone with at least one basic or instrumental activity of daily living; caregiving intensity was dichotomized at the median number of basic or instrumental activity of daily living tasks caregivers performed. The associations between changes in caregiving status and intensity level with Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score at the end of an interval were estimated using mixed-effects regression models. RESULTS Respondents contributed 2,832 intervals. High-intensity caregivers reported the highest stress at the end of an interval, whereas noncaregivers reported the lowest (mean PSS = 18.97 vs 15.73, p < .01). Low-intensity caregivers, whose intensity increased, had higher stress than continuing high-intensity caregivers. Those who stopped caregiving, regardless of intensity level, reported the same amount of stress as noncaregivers. CONCLUSIONS Transitions in caregiving status and intensity affect caregiver perceived stress. Continuing high-intensity caregivers and those who transition from low- to high-intensity caregiving report the highest stress of all transition groups, suggesting that stress-reduction interventions should target high-intensity caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer G Lyons
- Epidemiology Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Jane A Cauley
- Epidemiology Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lisa Fredman
- Epidemiology Department, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts.
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Vable AM, Subramanian SV, Rist PM, Glymour MM. Does the "widowhood effect" precede spousal bereavement? Results from a nationally representative sample of older adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2015; 23:283-92. [PMID: 24974142 PMCID: PMC5511695 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increased mortality risk following spousal bereavement (often called the "widowhood effect") is well documented, but little prior research has evaluated health deteriorations preceding spousal loss. DESIGN Data are from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of Americans over 50 years old. METHOD Individuals who were married in 2004 were considered for inclusion. Outcome data from 2006 on mobility (walking, climbing stairs), number of depressive symptoms, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were used. Exposure was characterized based on marital status at the time of outcome measurement: "recent widows" (N=396) were bereaved between 2004 and 2006, before outcomes were assessed; "near widows" (N=380) were bereaved between 2006 and 2008, after outcomes were assessed; "married" individuals (N=7,330) remained married from 2004 to 2010, the follow-up period for this analysis. Linear regression models predicting standardized mobility, depressive symptoms, and IADLs, were adjusted for age, race, gender, birthplace, socio-economic status, and health at baseline. RESULTS Compared to married individuals, recent widows had worse depressive symptoms (β=0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): [0.57, 0.85]). Near widows had worse depressive symptoms (β=0.21, 95% CI: [0.08, 0.34]), mobility (β=0.14, 95%CI: [0.01, 0.26]), and word recall (β=-0.13, 95%CI: [-0.23, -0.02]) compared to married individuals. CONCLUSIONS Health declines before spousal death suggests some portion of the "widowhood effect" may be attributable to experiences that precede widowhood and interventions prior to bereavement might help preserve the health of the surviving spouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha M. Vable
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S. V. Subramanian
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pamela M. Rist
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA,Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M. Maria Glymour
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco
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Bacon KL, Heeren T, Keysor JJ, Stuver SO, Cauley JA, Fredman L. Longitudinal and Reciprocal Relationships Between Depression and Disability in Older Women Caregivers and Noncaregivers. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2015; 56:723-32. [PMID: 26035874 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnu157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Depressive symptoms and disability each increase the risk of the other, yet few studies have examined reciprocal associations between these conditions in a single study, or over periods longer than 3 years. These associations may differ in older caregivers due to chronic stress, health characteristics, or factors related to caregiving. DESIGN AND METHODS Structural equation models were used to investigate relationships between depressive symptoms and disability over 3 interviews spanning 6 years among 956 older women (M = 81.5 years) from the Caregiver Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Results were evaluated separately for 611 noncaregivers and 345 caregivers to a relative or friend. RESULTS In noncaregivers, more depressive symptoms significantly predicted greater disability, whereas greater disability predicted increased depressive symptoms at the next interview in age-adjusted models. In contrast, there was not a significant relationship between depression and disability in either direction for caregivers. Further adjustment for body mass index and medical condition variables did not change these relationships. IMPLICATIONS Caregivers did not exhibit longitudinal or reciprocal relationships between depressive symptoms and disability observed in noncaregivers. It is possible that older women caregivers are buffered by better physical condition or social interactions related to caregiving activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn L Bacon
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Timothy Heeren
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Julie J Keysor
- Department of Physical Therapy, Boston University Sargent College, Massachusetts
| | - Sherri O Stuver
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts
| | - Jane A Cauley
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lisa Fredman
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Massachusetts.
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Liu G, Dupre ME. Health Trajectories of Women in China: The Role of Parental Caregiving. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2014; 71:320-31. [DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbu144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Rosso AL, Lee BK, Stefanick ML, Kroenke CH, Coker LH, Woods NF, Michael YL. Caregiving frequency and physical function: the Women's Health Initiative. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2014; 70:210-5. [PMID: 25060315 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glu104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Informal caregiving is common for older women and can negatively affect health, but its impact on physical function remains unclear. Using inverse probability weighting methods, we quantified the association of caregiving with physical function over 6 years. METHODS Study participants were 5,649 women aged 65 years and older at baseline of the Woman's Health Initiative Clinical Trial (multicenter recruitment, 1993-1998) with complete caregiving data and function at baseline and at least one follow-up. Caregiving was self-reported (low-frequency if ≤2 times per week and high-frequency if ≥3 times per week). Performance-based measures of physical function including timed walk (meters/second), grip strength (kilograms), and chair stands (number) were measured at baseline and years 1, 3, and 6. Associations and 95% confidence intervals of baseline caregiving with physical function were estimated by generalized estimating equations with inverse probability weighting by propensity and attrition scores, calculated by logistic regression of baseline health and demographic characteristics. RESULTS Over follow-up, low-frequency caregivers had higher grip strength when compared with noncaregivers (mean difference = 0.63kg, confidence interval: 0.24, 1.01). There were no observed differences between high-frequency caregivers and noncaregivers on grip strength or for either caregiver group when compared with noncaregivers on walk speed or chair stands. Rates of change in physical function measures did not differ by caregiving status. CONCLUSIONS Caregiving was not associated with poorer physical function in this sample of older women. Low-frequency caregiving was associated with better grip strength at baseline which persisted through follow-up. This study supports the concept that informal caregiving may not have universally negative health consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Rosso
- Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Brian K Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Marcia L Stefanick
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | | | - Laura H Coker
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
| | - Nancy F Woods
- School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Yvonne L Michael
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Corazza DI, Pedroso RV, Andreatto CAA, Scarpari L, Garuffi M, Costa JLR, Santos-Galduróz RF. [Psychoneuroimmunological predictors for burden in older caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol 2014; 49:173-178. [PMID: 24837199 DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2014.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The responsibility of giving care to patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may result in health changes in the older caregiver. It is important to explore the factors which influence the presence of care burden and to create strategies to face this condition. In this context, the aims of present study were to investigate the relationships between psychoneuroimmunological parameters and determine the predictors to burden in older caregivers of patients with AD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 30 AD older caregivers participating in the «Cognitive and Functional Kinesiotherapy Program in Elderly with Alzheimer's disease«(PRO-CDA)», de Rio Claro, SP-Brazil, were submitted to an assessment protocol to evaluate the psychoneuroimmunological parameters. A descriptive statistical analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regressions were performed. RESULTS The mean age of caregivers was 71.3 (±9.3), and predominantly are first-grade relatives. The caregiver burden was associated with depressive symptoms (r=0.60, P<.001), caregiver distress (r=0.68, P<.001), and neuropsychiatric disorders of AD patients (r=0.53, P<.001). The multiple regression analysis confirmed depressive symptoms and neuropsychiatric disturbances as predictors of caregiver burden. CONCLUSION Caregiver burden is associated with, and influenced by parameters related to the caregiver psychological suffering and to characteristics inherent to AD. Thus, it is important to find strategies and implement non-pharmacological programs to provide support to older caregivers, and to assist in the treatment of patients with AD, in order to improve the integral health of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilla I Corazza
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Educação Física (DEF), Laboratório de Atividade Física e Envelhecimento (LAFE), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil.
| | - Renata V Pedroso
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Educação Física (DEF), Laboratório de Atividade Física e Envelhecimento (LAFE), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Carla A A Andreatto
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Educação Física (DEF), Laboratório de Atividade Física e Envelhecimento (LAFE), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Lais Scarpari
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Educação Física (DEF), Laboratório de Atividade Física e Envelhecimento (LAFE), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Marcelo Garuffi
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Educação Física (DEF), Laboratório de Atividade Física e Envelhecimento (LAFE), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - José L R Costa
- Instituto de Biociências, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Educação Física (DEF), Laboratório de Atividade Física e Envelhecimento (LAFE), Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Ruth F Santos-Galduróz
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brasil
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Tomomitsu MR, Perracini MR, Neri AL. Influência de gênero, idade e renda sobre o bem-estar de idosos cuidadores e não cuidadores. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GERIATRIA E GERONTOLOGIA 2013. [DOI: 10.1590/s1809-98232013000400002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJETIVOS: Comparar idosos cuidadores e não cuidadores quanto às condições de saúde, psicossociais e de desempenho funcional e conhecer a influência das variáveis socioeconômicas sobre estes grupos. MÉTODO: Estudo envolvendo idosos residentes de três cidades brasileiras - Parnaíba-PI, Campinas-SP e Ivoti-RS - com base nos dados do estudo FIBRA. A amostra foi composta de 676 idosos, 338 cuidadores e 338 não cuidadores. Os cuidadores responderam afirmativamente a duas questões sobre a prestação de cuidado no Elders Life Stress Inventory. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: versões brasileiras da Geriatric Depression Scale, da Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, da escala de atividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVD), de 13 itens de atividades avançadas de vida diária e escala de satisfação com a vida. Foram aplicadas questões de autorrelato sobre idade, gênero, renda familiar, número de doenças e fadiga. RESULTADOS: Os cuidadores compuseram 29,7% da amostra. A tarefa de cuidar era mais frequente entre as mulheres (65,7%), os idosos de 65 a 74 anos e os de menor renda familiar. Houve frequência maior de queixa de insônia entre os cuidadores comparados com os não cuidadores (p=0,013). Para os grupos, ser mais pobre significou maior frequência de insônia e de dependência em AIVD, além de mais sintomas depressivos entre os cuidadores (p=0,24). As mulheres eram as mais doentes e os homens os mais isolados socialmente. Os cuidadores mais velhos reportaram maior grau de dependência em AIVD (p=0,015). CONCLUSÃO: Circunstâncias socioeconômicas podem contribuir para desfechos negativos sobre as condições de saúde física e bem-estar psicológico, especialmente entre os cuidadores.
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Roth DL, Haley WE, Hovater M, Perkins M, Wadley VG, Judd S. Family caregiving and all-cause mortality: findings from a population-based propensity-matched analysis. Am J Epidemiol 2013; 178:1571-8. [PMID: 24091890 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwt225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have provided conflicting evidence on whether being a family caregiver is associated with increased or decreased risk for all-cause mortality. This study examined whether 3,503 family caregivers enrolled in the national Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study showed differences in all-cause mortality from 2003 to 2012 compared with a propensity-matched sample of noncaregivers. Caregivers were individually matched with 3,503 noncaregivers by using a propensity score matching procedure based on 15 demographic, health history, and health behavior covariates. During an average 6-year follow-up period, 264 (7.5%) of the caregivers died, which was significantly fewer than the 315 (9.0%) matched noncaregivers who died during the same period. A proportional hazards model indicated that caregivers had an 18% reduced rate of death compared with noncaregivers (hazard ratio = 0.823, 95% confidence interval: 0.699, 0.969). Subgroup analyses by race, sex, caregiving relationship, and caregiving strain failed to identify any subgroups with increased rates of death compared with matched noncaregivers. Public policy and discourse should recognize that providing care to a family member with a chronic illness or disability is not associated with increased risk of death in most cases, but may instead be associated with modest survival benefits for the caregivers.
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Shahly V, Chatterji S, Gruber MJ, Al-Hamzawi A, Alonso J, Andrade LH, Angermeyer MC, Bruffaerts R, Bunting B, Caldas-de-Almeida JM, de Girolamo G, de Jonge P, Florescu S, Gureje O, Haro JM, Hinkov HR, Hu C, Karam EG, Lépine JP, Levinson D, Medina-Mora ME, Posada-Villa J, Sampson NA, Trivedi J, Viana MC, Kessler RC. Cross-national differences in the prevalence and correlates of burden among older family caregivers in the World Health Organization World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys. Psychol Med 2013; 43:865-879. [PMID: 22877824 PMCID: PMC4045502 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291712001468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current trends in population aging affect both recipients and providers of informal family caregiving, as the pool of family caregivers is shrinking while demand is increasing. Epidemiological research has not yet examined the implications of these trends for burdens experienced by aging family caregivers. Method Cross-sectional community surveys in 20 countries asked 13 892 respondents aged 50+ years about the objective (time, financial) and subjective (distress, embarrassment) burdens they experience in providing care to first-degree relatives with 12 broadly defined serious physical and mental conditions. Differential burden was examined by country income category, kinship status and type of condition. RESULTS Among the 26.9-42.5% respondents in high-, upper-middle-, and low-/lower-middle-income countries reporting serious relative health conditions, 35.7-42.5% reported burden. Of those, 25.2-29.0% spent time and 13.5-19.4% money, while 24.4-30.6% felt distress and 6.4-21.7% embarrassment. Mean caregiving hours per week in those giving any time were 16.6-23.6 (169.9-205.8 h/week per 100 people aged 50+ years). Burden in low-/lower-middle-income countries was 2- to 3-fold higher than in higher-income countries, with any financial burden averaging 14.3% of median family income in high-, 17.7% in upper-middle-, and 39.8% in low-/lower-middle-income countries. Higher burden was reported by women than men and for conditions of spouses and children than parents or siblings. CONCLUSIONS Uncompensated family caregiving is an important societal asset that offsets rising formal healthcare costs. However, the substantial burdens experienced by aging caregivers across multiple family health conditions and geographic regions threaten the continued integrity of their caregiving capacity. Initiatives supporting older family caregivers are consequently needed, especially in low-/lower-middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Shahly
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - M. J. Gruber
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - A. Al-Hamzawi
- Al-Qadisia University College of Medicine, Diwania Teaching Hospital, Diwania, Iraq
| | - J. Alonso
- Health Services Research Unit, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Research Institute), and CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - L. H. Andrade
- Section of Psychiatric Epidemiology, Sãu Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - R. Bruffaerts
- Universitair Psychiatrisch Centrum – Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (UPC-KUL), Leuven, Belgium
| | - B. Bunting
- University of Ulster, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - J. M. Caldas-de-Almeida
- Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC) and Department of Mental Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - G. de Girolamo
- IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - P. de Jonge
- University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - S. Florescu
- National School of Public Health Management and Professional Development, Bucharest, Romania
| | - O. Gureje
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, College of Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - J. M. Haro
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - H. R. Hinkov
- National Center for Public Health Protection, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - C. Hu
- Shenzhen Institute of Mental Health & Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China
| | - E. G. Karam
- Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), St. George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - J.-P. Lépine
- Hôpital Lariboisiére Fernand Widal, Paris, France
| | - D. Levinson
- Research and Planning, Mental Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - M. E. Medina-Mora
- Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria Ramon de La Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - N. A. Sampson
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - J.K. Trivedi
- Department of Psychiatry, C.S.M. Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - M. C. Viana
- Department of Social Medicine, Center for Health Sciences, Vitória, Spain
| | - R. C. Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Bertrand RM, Saczynski JS, Mezzacappa C, Hulse M, Ensrud K, Fredman L. Caregiving and cognitive function in older women: evidence for the healthy caregiver hypothesis. J Aging Health 2011; 24:48-66. [PMID: 21934121 DOI: 10.1177/0898264311421367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recent findings of better health outcomes in older caregivers than noncaregivers suggest a healthy caregiver hypothesis (HCH) model may be more appropriate than the stress process model for evaluating the health effects of caregiving. In a cross-sectional study, we tested the HCH on two cognitive domains: verbal memory and processing speed. METHOD Participants from the Caregiver Study of Osteoporotic Fractures who had a 2-year follow-up interview were categorized as continuous caregivers (n = 194), former caregivers (n = 148), or continuous noncaregivers (n = 574). The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT; memory) and Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST; processing speed) were administered at the follow-up interview. RESULTS Continuous caregivers had better memory performance and processing speed than continuous noncaregivers: adjusted mean scores for HVLT were 18.38 versus 15.80 (p < .0001), and for DSST were 35.91 versus 34.38 (p = .09). DISCUSSION Results support the HCH model for cognitive outcomes in older women caregivers; however, the relationship may be domain specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna M Bertrand
- Domestic Health Division, Health Policy, Abt AssociatesInc., Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Ashburner JM, Cauley JA, Cawthon P, Ensrud KE, Hochberg MC, Fredman L. Self-ratings of health and change in walking speed over 2 years: results from the caregiver-study of osteoporotic fractures. Am J Epidemiol 2011; 173:882-9. [PMID: 21354990 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwq445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Although poorer self-rated health (SRH) is associated with increased mortality, less is known about its impact on functioning. This study evaluated whether poorer SRH was associated with decline in walking speed and whether caregiving, often considered an indicator of chronic stress, modified this relation. The sample included 891 older US women from the Caregiver-Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. SRH was assessed at the baseline Caregiver-Study of Osteoporotic Fractures interview, conducted in 1999-2001, and was categorized as fair/poor or excellent/good. Rapid walking speed over 2, 3, or 6 m was measured at baseline and 2 annual follow-up interviews. Respondents with fair/poor SRH walked significantly slower at baseline than those with excellent/good health (mean = 0.8 (standard deviation, 0.3) vs. 1.0 (standard deviation, 0.3) m/second, P < 0.001). In adjusted linear mixed models of percentage change in walking speed, respondents with fair/poor SRH experienced a greater decline in walking speed than those with excellent/good SRH (-5.66% vs. -0.60%, P = 0.01). Caregivers with fair/poor SRH declined more than noncaregivers (-9.26% vs. -4.09%). High-intensity caregivers had the largest decline (-12.88%), whereas low-intensity caregivers in excellent/good SRH had no decline (2.61%). In summary, poorer SRH was associated with decline in walking speed in older women, and the stress of caregiving may have exacerbated its impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Ashburner
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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