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Liu J, Meyer K, Glassner A, Gonzales M, Bartlett Ellis RJ, Park H, Song L, Patel N, Wang J. Thematic Analysis of Alzheimer's Medication Management Discussion in a Non-Moderated Online Forum. West J Nurs Res 2024; 46:307-314. [PMID: 38456477 PMCID: PMC10955786 DOI: 10.1177/01939459241237671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Managing medications for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is challenging for caregivers. Information about caregivers' strategies to manage these challenges is needed to inform intervention development. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand caregivers' medication management experiences by analyzing online community discussions. METHODS Posts were extracted from the ALZConnected® Forum using keywords "medication" and "drug" via web scraping. The researchers applied thematic analysis. RESULTS Four major themes emerged: (1) role transition of medication management responsibilities, (2) caregivers' uncertainty about medication purpose and values, (3) conflicts between the care recipients and caregivers, and (4) difficulty accessing and affording medications. CONCLUSIONS The experiences shared on a non-moderated, unstructured online forum indicate that medication management is challenging and overwhelming for caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Since this is a progressive disease with various stages and changing needs, caregivers' strategies vary and are often limited by available resources and support. Health care providers should offer training and support for caregivers to navigate the transfer of medication management responsibilities and changing care needs as the disease progresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Kylie Meyer
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashlie Glassner
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mitzi Gonzales
- Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Hyejin Park
- College of Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Lixin Song
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Neela Patel
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Louis-Delsoin C, Ruiz-Rodrigo A, Rousseau J. Understanding the home environment of older adults living with dementia: A scoping review of assessment tools. Home Health Care Serv Q 2024; 43:54-86. [PMID: 38146743 DOI: 10.1080/01621424.2023.2290708] [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] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Rigorous assessments to better understand the person-environment interaction are essential to comprehend how neurocognitive disorders influence in-home functioning of older people living with dementia. No recent synthesis identifies validated instruments targeting the human (e.g. caregivers) and nonhuman (e.g. objects) elements of the home environment interacting with this population and used with the perspective of aging in place. Consequently, following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) scoping review method, 2,182 articles were identified in six databases and in gray literature. Two reviewers independently selected 23 relevant articles describing 19 validated assessment tools targeting elements of the home interacting with older people with dementia, namely: nonhuman environment (n = 13), human environment (n = 3), and person-environment interaction (n = 3). This overview highlights the scarcity of tools addressing the human environment and the person-environment interaction to foster sustainable at-home living for older people with neurocognitive disorders, demonstrating the need to incorporate new evidence-based, holistic methods into dementia home care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Louis-Delsoin
- School of rehabilitation, Faculty of medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alicia Ruiz-Rodrigo
- School of rehabilitation, Faculty of medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Rousseau
- School of rehabilitation, Faculty of medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Meyer K, Rath L, Avent E, Benton D, Nash P, Wilber K. How do family caregivers of older adults cope with relationship strain? Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:1990-1999. [PMID: 37574858 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2247353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies of families' experiences with caregiving to older adults most often focus on overall burden and stress. Yet, caregiving is also a type of relationship, and the onset of caregiving can contribute to relationship strain between care partners. Despite implications for both care partners, little is known about how caregivers cope with caregiving relationship strain. METHODS The authors conducted nine focus groups and 8 interviews with a purposeful sample of racially and ethnically diverse family caregivers in Los Angeles. Conventional content analysis was applied to transcripts to identify how caregivers cope with relationship strain. RESULTS Analyses revealed four overall coping approaches to manage relationship strain: (1) Self-Care; (2) Adapting Behaviors, (3) Adapting Feelings and Cognitions, and (4) Help and Support. Selected strategies likely vary by care recipient condition. For example, caregivers for persons living with dementia emphasize adapting their own behaviors and feelings, rather than trying to change their loved one's behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that caregivers cope with relationship strain using both interpersonal tension and care management strategies. We also identified possible variations by care recipient condition and caregiver race and ethnicity. These results suggest a need for interventions focused on caregiver coping should also be tested for effects on relationship strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Meyer
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Archstone Foundation, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Laura Rath
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Elizabeth Avent
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Donna Benton
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul Nash
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen Wilber
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Arinaitwe I, Karungi CK, Gopez A, Wakida EK, Talib ZM, Mubangizi V, Obua C. Behavioral and psycho-social impairments among people living with dementia and their management by caregivers in South-Western Uganda: a qualitative study. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:1938-1945. [PMID: 36369823 PMCID: PMC10432726 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2146053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore the behavioral and social impairments among people living with dementia (PLWD) in rural southwestern Uganda. It also explored the burden of caregivers for people living with dementia. METHODS This was a qualitative study among people living with dementia and their caregivers. We consecutively enrolled 30 people living with dementia with their caregivers from their homes. We conducted in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. We did a thematic content analysis. RESULTS The themes under-reported behavioral impairment were; difficulty in personal care, physical inactivity, and impaired judgment. Under the social and cognitive impairment theme, there was the failure to be in social gatherings like church, community groups, and markets. Under the caregivers' role, their burden included managing behavioral, social, and cognitive impairments of PLWD. Although caregivers were committed to caring for PLWDs, this required sacrificing time at the expense of income-generating activities. CONCLUSIONS Dementia hinders the behavioral and social aspects of the affected people. Caregivers are highly burdened to care for PLWD. Strategies to minimize caregivers' burden while caring for people living with dementia are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Innocent Arinaitwe
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and technology, Mbarara, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Christine K. Karungi
- Grants Administration and Management, Mbarara University of Science and technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Abigail Gopez
- California University Science and Medicine, Colton, CA, USA
| | - Edith K. Wakida
- Grants Administration and Management, Mbarara University of Science and technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Zohray M. Talib
- Department of Medical education, California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, California, USA
| | - Vincent Mubangizi
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and technology, Mbarara, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Celestino Obua
- Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Mbarara University of Science and technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Dreyer J, Bergmann JM, Köhler K, Hochgraeber I, Pinkert C, Roes M, Thyrian JR, Wiegelmann H, Holle B. Differences and commonalities of home-based care arrangements for persons living with dementia in Germany - a theory-driven development of types using multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:723. [PMID: 36050645 PMCID: PMC9438141 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03310-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most persons with dementia live at home and want to stay there as long as possible. In most cases, informal carers such as spouses or children care for them. Together with other family members and professional carers, they form care arrangements to address the complex needs of persons with dementia. One major aim of informal carers is to keep the care arrangement stable. The middle-range theory of 'stability of home-based care arrangements for people living with dementia' (SoCA-Dem theory) offers a theory to understand what constitutes and influences the stability of home-based care arrangements. Based on this theory, the aim of this study was to (1) uncover the underlying structures of differences and commonalities of home-based care arrangements for persons living with dementia, (2) construct types of these care arrangements, and (3) compare these types with regard to their stability. METHOD This is a secondary analysis of data from a convenience sample of n = 320 care arrangements for persons with dementia obtained in the observational DemNet-D study. Data were analysed using multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Sociodemographic data and variables related to the structure of the care arrangement (D-IVA), burden of the informal carer (BICS-D), dementia severity (FAST), and quality of life of the person with dementia (QOL-AD) were included. RESULTS The multiple correspondence analysis identified 27 axes that explained the entire variance between all care arrangements. The two axes 'dementia and care trajectory' and 'structure of the dyadic relationship' best distinguished care arrangements from each other and together explained 27.10% of the variance. The subsequent cluster analysis identified four types of care arrangements. Two types included spouse-centred care arrangements, and two types included child-centred care arrangements at different phases of the dementia and care trajectory. The types differ with regard to their stability. CONCLUSION The results highlight the heterogeneity and commonality of care arrangements for persons living with dementia. They contribute to a better understanding of informal dementia home care. Furthermore, the results can guide the development of tailored support for persons living with dementia and their caring families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Dreyer
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), site Witten, Witten, Germany.
| | | | - Kerstin Köhler
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), site Witten, Witten, Germany
| | - Iris Hochgraeber
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), site Witten, Witten, Germany
| | - Christiane Pinkert
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), site Witten, Witten, Germany
| | - Martina Roes
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), site Witten, Witten, Germany
| | - Jochen René Thyrian
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), site Rostock/Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Henrik Wiegelmann
- Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Holle
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), site Witten, Witten, Germany
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