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Romero-Mas M, Cox AM, Ramon-Aribau A, Gómez-Zúñiga B. Knowledge sharing in virtual communities of practice of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:577. [PMID: 38965455 PMCID: PMC11223353 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05045-7] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Knowledge sharing can only happen in the context of a trusting and supportive environment, such as evolves in communities of practice and their virtual equivalent, virtual communities of practice. The main objective of this study was to understand knowledge sharing between participants in a virtual community of practice of caregivers of people with Alzheimer's. METHODS The authors designed their own mobile application, and two virtual communities of practice were created independently and differentiated by how they were moderated: one by an expert caregiver and the other by three health professionals. 38 caregivers and four moderators were involved in the study, which ran between July 2017 and April 2018. A total of 1925 messages were exchanged within the two communities and used as data in the study. Message data was analysed using LINKS (Leveraging Internet Networks for knowledge sharing). RESULTS Participants were more motivated to acquire knowledge related to caring for the person with Alzheimer's rather than caring for themselves. The purpose of the messages was to inform others about the sender and not to seek answers. It seems that the interaction was more to socialise and to feel heard, than to gain information. Face to face meetings appear to have accelerated community development. On nearly every parameter, behaviour was significantly different in the two communities, reflecting the importance of the character of the moderator. Caring for oneself was a much stronger theme in the community that included health professionals. Experiential knowledge sharing was particularly strong in the group led by a caregiver. DISCUSSION Caregivers adapted the virtual community of practice to their own needs and mainly shared social knowledge. This focus on social support, which seems to be more valued by the caregivers than information about the disease, was not an expected pattern. Virtual communities of practice where peers count on each other, function more as a support group, whereas those moderated by health professionals function more as a place to go to acquire information. The level of interactivity points to such communities being important for knowledge sharing not mere knowledge transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Romero-Mas
- Health Sciences and Welfare Faculty, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Vic (Barcelona), Spain
| | - A M Cox
- Information School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - A Ramon-Aribau
- Health Sciences and Welfare Faculty, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Vic (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Beni Gómez-Zúñiga
- Estudis de Psicologia i Ciències de l'Educació, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla Poblenou, 156, Barcelona, 08018, Spain.
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Heymann J, Raub A, Waisath W, Earle A, Stek P, Sprague A. Paid Leave to Meet the Health Needs of Aging Family Members in 193 Countries. J Aging Soc Policy 2024; 36:508-531. [PMID: 36007142 DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2022.2110804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Women and workers over 50 disproportionately provide care for aging family members worldwide, including the 101 million who are care-dependent. Paid leave for adult health needs, which temporarily replaces employment income for workers providing care, can critically support both caregivers' economic outcomes and care recipients' wellbeing. We created quantitatively comparable data on paid leave policies that can be used to meet adult family members' health needs in all United Nations member states. Globally, 112 countries fail to provide any paid leave that can be used to meet the serious health needs of an aging parent, spouse, or adult child. These gaps have profound consequences for older workers providing care as well as care access by aging, ill, and disabled adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody Heymann
- WORLD Policy Analysis Center, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amy Raub
- WORLD Policy Analysis Center, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Willetta Waisath
- WORLD Policy Analysis Center, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alison Earle
- WORLD Policy Analysis Center, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pamela Stek
- WORLD Policy Analysis Center, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aleta Sprague
- WORLD Policy Analysis Center, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Abdelhalim DS, Ahmed MM, Hussein HA, Khalaf OO, Sarhan MD. Burden of Care, Depression, and Anxiety Among Family Caregivers of People With Dementia. J Prim Care Community Health 2024; 15:21501319241288029. [PMID: 39344982 PMCID: PMC11450568 DOI: 10.1177/21501319241288029] [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: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are many challenges that entail caring for an individual with dementia, affecting not only the individual with the condition but also their caregivers. This can lead to increased burden, frustration, and depression among those taking care of them. A research gap exists concerning the care of people with dementia in Egypt, particularly regarding the mental health of caregivers. Limited studies have been conducted in Egypt, particularly focusing on the mental health of caregivers. This lack highlights the need to understand the prevalence and impact of caregiver burden in this population. OBJECTIVES The research aimed to evaluate the burden of dementia, levels of depression, and anxiety among family caregivers of individuals with dementia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at a geriatric unit clinic of a psychiatric hospital in Cairo University, Egypt. Caregiver burden, anxiety, and depression were assessed using questionnaires. These questionnaires included the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), together with demographic data on the patients and caregivers. RESULTS The majority of the 141 participants (73% (n = 103)) were female, mostly daughters, with an average age of 40 years. Approximately 50% (n = 71) of the subjects exhibited mild to moderate burden, whereas 30% (n = 43) showed moderate to severe burden. About 31% (n = 44) of the subjects exhibited symptoms of moderate depression, whereas 9% (n = 13) had symptoms of severe depression. Furthermore, almost 43% (n = 60) of caregivers exhibited a moderate level of anxiety. Furthermore, a significant association was seen between caregiver burden and the presence of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION This study showed a substantial burden in providing care, elevated levels of despair, and anxiety among caregivers of PWD. The findings highlight how important it is to develop targeted therapies and support systems in order to lessen the load on caregivers, advance their mental health, and improve overall care for both caregivers and their patients in Egypt. Policy-makers should prioritize investing in dementia-related support systems and services to empower caregivers and improve the quality of life for both caregivers and their patients.
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Choi MJ, Seo HJ, Choo IH, Kim JL, Park JM. Association between the COVID-19 pandemic, caregiving burden, and quality of life of caregivers of people with dementia: A cross-sectional study. Nurs Health Sci 2023; 25:402-410. [PMID: 37519187 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the association of COVID-19-related stress, anxiety, access to public healthcare services, and the presence of secondary caregivers (CGs) on the burden of caregiving and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for CGs of people with dementia (PwD). A cross-sectional survey with 218 family CGs for PwD was completed in various settings between August and September 2021. The CGs had moderate and severe stress (42.7%) and reported having difficulty accessing public healthcare services (51.8%) and receiving help from secondary CGs (42.7%). In the multivariable linear regression, the stress and anxiety levels related to COVID-19 had a positive association with caregiver burden (β = 4.25, p < 0.001, and β = 5.73, p = 0.032, respectively), with no statistically significant association to HRQoL. Unexpectedly, accessing public healthcare services and supporting the secondary CGs were unrelated to the caregiving burden and HRQoL. Therefore, interventions aiming to alleviate family CGs' stress and anxiety levels should be provided to ensure PwD live in their homes in terms of continuity of public health service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jung Choi
- College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Ju Seo
- College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Han Choo
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Chosun University and Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Jeong Lan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry. College of Medicine, Chungnam National University and Chungnam National University Hospital, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Min Park
- Department of Nursing Science, Nambu University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Demirbas M, Hahn-Pedersen JH, Jørgensen HL. Comparison Between Burden of Care Partners of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease Versus Individuals with Other Chronic Diseases. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:1051-1068. [PMID: 37222859 PMCID: PMC10310688 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00493-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caregiving in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often provided by informal care partners, who spend more hours per week on average than care partners of individuals with conditions other than AD. However, the burden of care in partners of individuals with AD has not been systematically compared to that of other chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE The current study therefore aims to compare the care partner burden of AD to that of other chronic diseases through a systematic literature review. METHODS Data was collected from journal articles published in the last 10 years, using two unique search strings in PubMed and analysed using pre-defined patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the EQ-5D-5L, GAD-7, GHQ-12, PHQ-9, WPAI and the ZBI. The data was grouped according to the included PROMs and the diseases studied. The number of participants in the studies reporting burden of caregiving in AD was adjusted to reflect the number of participants in studies reporting care partner burden in other chronic diseases. RESULTS All results in this study are reported as a mean value and standard deviation (SD). The ZBI measurement was the most frequently used PROM to collect care partner burden (15 studies) and showed a moderate burden (mean 36.80, SD 18.35) on care partners of individuals with AD, higher than most of the other included diseases except for those characterized by psychiatric symptoms (mean scores 55.92 and 59.11). Other PROMs such as PHQ-9 (six studies) and GHQ-12 (four studies) showed a greater burden on care partners of individuals with other chronic diseases such as heart failure, haematopoietic cell transplantations, cancer and depression compared to AD. Likewise, GAD-7 and EQ-5D-5L measurements showed a lesser burden on care partners of individuals with AD compared to care partners of individuals with anxiety, cancer, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The current study suggests that care partners of individuals with AD experience a moderate burden, but with some variations depending on the PROMs used. CONCLUSION The results of this study were mixed with some PROMs indicating a greater burden for care partners of individuals with AD versus other chronic diseases, and other PROMs showing a greater burden for care partners of individuals with other chronic diseases. Psychiatric disorders imposed a greater burden on care partners compared to AD, while somatic diseases in the musculoskeletal system resulted in a significantly smaller burden on care partners compared to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Demirbas
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | | - Henrik L Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Mank A, van Maurik IS, Rijnhart JJM, Rhodius‐Meester HFM, Visser LNC, Lemstra AW, Sikkes SAM, Teunissen CE, van Giessen EM, Berkhof J, van der Flier WM. Determinants of informal care time, distress, depression, and quality of life in care partners along the trajectory of Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12418. [PMID: 37114014 PMCID: PMC10126754 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12418] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Introduction We evaluated determinants associated with care partner outcomes along the Alzheimer's disease (AD) stages. Methods We included n = 270 care partners of amyloid-positive patients in the pre-dementia and dementia stages of AD. Using linear regression analysis, we examined determinants of four care partner outcomes: informal care time, caregiver distress, depression, and quality of life (QoL). Results More behavioral symptoms and functional impairment in patients were associated with more informal care time and depressive symptoms in care partners. More behavioral symptoms were related with more caregiver distress. Spouse care partners spent more time on informal care and QoL was lower in female care partners. Behavioral problems and subtle functional impairment of the patient predisposed for worse care partner outcomes already in the pre-dementia stages. Discussion Both patient and care partner determinants contribute to the care partner outcomes, already in early disease stages. This study provides red flags for high care partner burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arenda Mank
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of NeurologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMC VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegenerationAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Epidemiology and Data ScienceAmsterdam Public Health InstituteAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Ingrid S. van Maurik
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of NeurologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMC VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegenerationAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Epidemiology and Data ScienceAmsterdam Public Health InstituteAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | | | - Hanneke F. M. Rhodius‐Meester
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of NeurologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMC VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Department of Internal MedicineGeriatric Medicine SectionVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMCAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Department of Geriatric MedicineThe Memory ClinicOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Leonie N. C. Visser
- Department of Medical PsychologyAmsterdam UMC, AMCUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research InstituteQuality of CareAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Afina W. Lemstra
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of NeurologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMC VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegenerationAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Sietske A. M. Sikkes
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of NeurologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMC VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegenerationAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E. Teunissen
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegenerationAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Neurochemistry LaboratoryDepartment of Clinical ChemistryVrije UniversiteitAmsterdam UMC, VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Elsmarieke M. van Giessen
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMC, VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Johannes Berkhof
- Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Epidemiology and Data ScienceAmsterdam Public Health InstituteAmsterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Wiesje M. van der Flier
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of NeurologyVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam UMC VUmcAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam NeuroscienceNeurodegenerationAmsterdamthe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Epidemiology and Data ScienceAmsterdam Public Health InstituteAmsterdamthe Netherlands
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Ozdemir S, Ng S, Malhotra C, Teo I, Finkelstein EA. Patient-Caregiver Treatment Preference Discordance and Its Association With Caregiving Burden and Esteem. Innov Aging 2021; 5:igab020. [PMID: 34316519 PMCID: PMC8306724 DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Many patient–caregiver dyads report conflicting treatment decisions regarding preferences for life extension treatments and symptom management. It is possible that this discordance will lead to negative psychological outcomes including lowered caregiving esteem and increased caregiver burden. However, the relationships between treatment discordance among dyads and caregiver psychological outcomes are not well studied among advanced cancer patients—a gap this study aims to fill. Research Design and Methods Outcome variables included caregiver burden and caregiving esteem, measured via a modified 4-domain Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale. The main independent variable was patient–caregiver treatment preference discordance, examined using questions adapted from an existing protocol. Analyses were conducted using multivariable regressions. Results A convenience sample of 285 patient–caregiver dyads were recruited from outpatient clinics at 2 tertiary hospitals in Singapore. The majority (60%) of patient–caregiver dyads reported discordant treatment preferences. Discordance in this study arose because caregivers wanted a balance between life extension and symptom management while patients preferred life-extending treatment. In multivariable analyses, discordance predicted caregiver burden arising from impact on caregiver schedule and health (β = 0.16, p = .07) and lack of family support (β = 0.13, p = .04). Discussion and Implications Theoretically, this study provided a more nuanced understanding of how dyad discordance may worsen the burdens felt by caregivers, and which aspects of their lives (i.e., burden due to impact of caregiver schedule and health and lack of family support) are most affected. Our findings can aid in establishing therapeutic interventions targeted toward improving communication skills and encouraging end-of-life discussions among patients, caregivers, and their health care providers. The importance of establishing and improving therapy programs specifically targeted toward caregivers was also underlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semra Ozdemir
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Signature Programme in Health Services and System Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Sean Ng
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Signature Programme in Health Services and System Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Chetna Malhotra
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Signature Programme in Health Services and System Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Irene Teo
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eric A Finkelstein
- Lien Centre for Palliative Care, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Signature Programme in Health Services and System Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
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Chen YA, Chang CC, Wang WF, Lin YS, Jhang KM, Lo TY, Wu HH. Association Between Caregivers' Burden and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Female Patients with Alzheimer's Disease with Varying Dementia Severity. J Multidiscip Healthc 2021; 14:929-940. [PMID: 33953562 PMCID: PMC8090980 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s298196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study examined the attributes causing higher burdens for caregivers caring for female patients with Alzheimer’s disease by analyzing a combination of various variables, including demographic data, dementia severity, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Patients and Methods This study included 99 female patients with Alzheimer’s disease who were cared for by the dementia collaborative care team at Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan. Neuropsychiatric symptoms used in this study included affections (9 types), behavior symptoms (9 symptoms), and psychological symptoms (3 symptoms). The Apriori algorithm was employed to identify association rules that reveal the relationships among demographic data, dementia severity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and caregivers’ burden. Results A total of 185 rules were determined, including 51 rules with little or no burden, 108 rules with mild to moderate burden, and 26 rules with moderate to severe burden. The major findings are as follows. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with varying degrees of caregivers’ burden among female patients aged 75 to 84 years with mild dementia. Crying spells and aggression were specifically associated with a moderate to severe burden. Delusion was associated with a mild to moderate and moderate to severe burden. Dysthymia and depression were associated with little or no burden to moderate to severe burden. Conclusion Clinicians can provide early interventions to reduce the burden of caregivers caring for female patients with Alzheimer’s disease and can refer caregivers for timely assistance to reduce their burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-An Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chen Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Fu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.,Department of Holistic Wellness, Ming Dao University, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Sian Lin
- Department of Business Administration, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Ming Jhang
- Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ying Lo
- Department of Business Administration, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hung Wu
- Department of Business Administration, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan.,Department of M-Commerce and Multimedia Applications, Asia University, Taichung City, Taiwan.,Faculty of Education, State University of Malang, Malang, East Java, Indonesia
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Kürten L, Dietzel N, Kolominsky-Rabas PL, Graessel E. Predictors of the one-year-change in depressiveness in informal caregivers of community-dwelling people with dementia. BMC Psychiatry 2021; 21:177. [PMID: 33812389 PMCID: PMC8019174 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-021-03164-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The care of people with dementia is usually carried out by their family members, which can cause objective und subjective burden and raise their risk of depressiveness. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify predictors of the change in depressiveness of informal caregivers over 1 year in order to be able to derive hypotheses for interventions that promise success. METHODS The Bavarian Dementia Survey (BayDem) is a multi-center, longitudinal study conducted at three different sites in Bavaria, Germany. Participants were people with dementia and their informal caregivers. Data was collected at baseline and after 12 months by standardized face-to-face interviews in cooperation with local players. The informal caregivers' depressiveness was assessed with the WHO-5. Data was also collected on the people with dementia's cognition (MMSE), behavioral symptoms (NPI) and comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index) as well as caregivers' social inclusion (LSNS), time spent on care and care contribution (RUD). For statistical analysis, a multiple regression model was used. RESULTS The data of 166 people with dementia and their informal caregivers was analyzed. Of the latter, 46% were categorized as "likely depressed". The change in depressiveness over a year was significantly predicted by baseline depressiveness as well as an increase in the time informal caregivers spent supervising the person with dementia. CONCLUSIONS Informal caregivers of people with dementia are at high risk of depression. The time spent supervising the person with dementia has a significant impact on increasing depressiveness. This highlights the importance of support services to provide the informal caregiver with relief and possibly reduce depressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Kürten
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Public Health (IZPH), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Nikolas Dietzel
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Public Health (IZPH), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter L Kolominsky-Rabas
- Interdisciplinary Center for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Public Health (IZPH), Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elmar Graessel
- Center for Health Services Research in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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