Variables Impacting the Quality of Life of Dementia Caregivers: A Data Visualization Analysis

Sleep quality differences among caregivers for persons living with and without dementia

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the relationship between caring for a person with/without dementia and caregiver sleep quality, and analyzed the extent to which perceived benefits of caregiving and assessments of caregiver-recipient relationship quality explain the relationship between care recipient dementia status and caregiver sleep quality.

METHOD

Data were analyzed from caregivers for persons with no or probable dementia who participated in the 2017 National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) and National Health and Aging Trends Study. Caregiver sleep quality was measured using NSOC time diary interview. Perceptions of caregiving and relationship quality were assessed using 4-item surveys. We used multivariable logistic regressions to examine the association between care recipient dementia status and caregiver sleep quality controlling for covariates.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 1,374 caregivers (mean age = 62.3, SD = 14, 68.3% women, 69.4% non-Hispanic White). In multivariable models adjusting for caregiver and care recipient characteristics, being a caregiver for someone with dementia was associated with 23% lower odds of reporting "excellent/very good" sleep quality (OR: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.61-0.98, p = 0.032). Greater perception of caregiving benefits was associated with 8% greater odds of "excellent/very good" sleep quality (AOR: 1.08, 95%CI: 1.02-1.15, p = 0.013), but did not explain the relationship between dementia and caregiver sleep quality. Positive ratings of relationship quality explained the relationship between care recipient dementia status and caregiver sleep quality (AOR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.65-1.05, p = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

Improving assessments of relationship quality and amplifying perceptions of caregiving benefits may reduce disparities in sleep quality between caregivers of persons living with or without dementia.

Predictors of Sleep Quality in Spouse Caregivers of Community-Dwelling People With Dementia Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND

Many family caregivers of people with dementia (PwDs) have sleep problems and poor sleep quality. Sleep may be negatively affected by caring for a family member with dementia, especially a spouse.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to assess sleep quality in spouse caregivers of PwDs and determine the impact of care provision on their sleep quality.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of 58,050 participants in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey was conducted. To prevent selection bias, a propensity score matching analysis was performed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the predictors of sleep quality.

RESULTS

After obtaining a propensity score matching threshold of 3:1, the percentage of poor sleepers was 24.2% in the control group and 33.3% in the spouse-caregiver group, which indicates a significant difference (χ 2 = 11.79, p = .001). After adjusting for depressive symptoms in the multiple logistic analyses, no intergroup difference was found in terms of risk of poor sleep quality (odds ratio = 1.12, 95% CI [0.90, 1.61]).

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The findings of this study support that spouse caregivers of PwDs have poorer sleep quality than their nonspouse peers and that management of depressive symptoms is important to improving the sleep quality of spouses providing care to PwDs. Nursing interventions such as light therapy and exposure to sunlight during daytime hours to both improve sleep quality and reduce depressive symptoms can improve sleep quality in this vulnerable caregiver group.

Factors associated with quality of life for cystic fibrosis family caregivers

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic and chronic disease affecting 32,100 people in the United States as of 2021, with a life expectancy of 56 years for people with CF (PwCF) born between 2018 and 2022. While there is extensive literature about cystic fibrosis, there are few studies examining the complexity and challenges experienced by family caregivers for PwCF. The aim of this study was to examine the Caregiver Quality of Life Cystic Fibrosis (CQOLCF) scale using data (N = 217) from two separate studies that used the scale to determine if its items represent multiple factors relevant to CF family caregiver QoL. Factor analysis was conducted on the Seven distinct factors were found with analysis of the CQOLCF. Factors were Existential Dread (12%), Burden (11%), Strain (7%), Support (7%), Positivity (6%), Finance (5%) and Guilt (3%). Study findings indicated it is important for healthcare providers and researchers who use the CQOLCF to be knowledgeable and aware of the multiple factors associated with quality of life in this population in addition to an overall quality of life score.

The effectiveness of internet-based psychoeducation programs for caregivers of people living with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to identify the characteristics of internet-based psychoeducational programs for caregivers of people living with dementia and to synthesise program effectiveness.

METHOD

Five English databases and four Chinese databases were searched in June 2021 with no time limit applied. A narrative summary was performed to describe the characteristics of studies reviewed. Meta-analysis was applied to synthesise the pooled effects where data were available.

RESULTS

A total of 14352 articles were identified from the database search and 19 were included in the final review. Interventions comprised educational, psychological, and behavioural training relevant to dementia care. Program duration ranged from 3 weeks to 12 months. Meta-analysis of 13 RCTs showed that internet-based psychoeducational programs had a significant effect on reducing caregivers' depressive symptoms (SMD -0.19; 95% CI -0.03 - 0.35) and stress (SMD -0.29; 95% CI -0.03 -0.54). However, these programs did not show an effect on quality of life, anxiety, burden or self-efficacy in caregivers.

CONCLUSION

Internet-based psychoeducational programs can improve some aspects of caregivers' mental health and emotional wellbeing. The effects of programs on self-efficacy, anxiety, burden and quality of life for caregivers remain inconclusive.