Caregiving Hours Research Articles

The personality traits of family caregivers of individuals with dementia: The effects of social anxiety, social phobia, and caregiving hours

Background and Aim of Study: Caring for individuals afflicted with dementia engenders substantial demands and responsibilities for caregivers, encompassing the extensive time allocation devoted to the care recipient on a daily basis. Furthermore, the psychological attributes inherent in informal caregivers, encompassing traits like social anxiety and social phobia, can exert an influence on the evolution of their personal dynamics over time. This phenomenon potentially yields repercussions for how caregivers offer guidance and assistance to elderly individuals grappling with dementia, particularly in relation to their fundamental daily activities and instrumental tasks. The aim of the study: to analyze the predictive effect of social anxiety and social phobia as psychological characteristics of caregivers, along with the impact of caregiving hours as caregiving-related characteristics, on caregivers’ personality. Material and Methods: This observational and cross-sectional study comprised a sample of 97 participants serving as primary family caregivers completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Big Five Inventory, the Anxiety Scale in Social Interaction Situations, and the Social Phobia Scale. Results: The findings revealed that social phobia demonstrated significant predictive power for Openness (β=-0.199; p=0.016) and Extraversion (β=-0.136; p=0.024), whereas the daily caregiving hours negatively affected Conscientiousness (β=-0.145; p=0.011), Agreeableness (β=-0.137; p=0.040), Openness (β=-0.210; p=0.011), and Extraversion (β=-0.175; p=0.003). Conversely, social anxiety did not prove to be a significant variable. Conclusions: The presence of social phobia or higher hours devoted to caregiving for individuals with dementia are factors that impact personality functioning and should be considered in the planning of support programs for family caregivers.

IMPACT OF CAREGIVING HOURS ON COGNITIVE OUTCOMES ACROSS ADULTHOOD

Abstract Being a caregiver has been associated with poorer physical health and well-being. The current study expands prior work by comparing cognitive functioning among individuals who were caregivers versus non-caregivers, and further examined varying caregiving hours and cognitive functioning among caregivers. Data were from waves 2 (2003-04) and 3 (2013-14) of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. A total of 2,075 individuals aged 35-86 years (Mage=55±11) were included from wave 2. We identified individuals who served as a caregiver in the past 12 months (N=264) at wave 2. Cognitive functioning was assessed by composite scores for both executive function (inductive reasoning, category verbal fluency, working memory span, processing speed, and attention switching and inhibitory control) and episodic memory (immediate and delayed free recall of 15 words). We used multiple linear regression models to examine associations between wave 2 caregiving versus non-caregiving status on wave 3 cognitive functioning (Model 1); and, among caregivers at wave 2, varying caregiving hours and wave 3 cognitive functioning (Model 2). After controlling for covariates on sociodemographic factors, and health and functional status at baseline in Model 1, caregiving was associated with better performance in episodic memory (b=.13, p<.05), but not executive function (b=-.06, p=.09). Model 2 revealed no significant association for either episodic memory or executive function. The findings supported the healthy caregiver rather than the stress process hypothesis, and that former caregiving may be associated with better memory functioning over time among middle-aged and older adults.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AMONG SANDWICH AND NONSANDWICH CAREGIVERS BY RACE/ETHNICITY

Abstract Sandwich caregivers are middle-aged adults who care for both a child and an older adult. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Caregiver Module in 50 jurisdictions from 2016-2021, we compared the prevalence of sandwich caregivers and their physical and mental health across racial/ethnic groups. We included 23,853 caregivers aged 45-64 years. Sandwich caregivers (N=2,486) were those who lived with a child (≤18 years) and provided care/assistance to a parent/grandparent with a long-term illness/disability during the past 30 days. The prevalence of sandwich caregiving varied by race/ethnicity, with 18.4% of non-Hispanic Asian, 14.5% of non-Hispanic Black, 11.5% of Hispanic, 10.2% of non-Hispanic White, and 9.5% of non-Hispanic other/multiracial respondents classified as sandwich caregivers. Prevalence ratios (PR) from log-binomial regression models adjusted for age, sex, hours of caregiving, and type of care were used to compare weighted estimates. Sandwich caregivers generally had similar physical health and better mental health compared to non-sandwich caregivers. Compared to non-sandwich caregivers from the same racial/ethnic background, Black sandwich caregivers had a significantly higher prevalence of excellent/very good/good health (PR=1.15) and lower frequent mental distress (PR=0.90), while Asian (PR=0.78) and White (PR=0.91) sandwich caregivers had a significantly lower prevalence of frequent mental distress. Some racial/ethnic groups of sandwich caregivers were in better physical and mental health than non-sandwich caregivers. This could reflect a need for a higher level of physical and mental health to take on a sandwich caregiving role. Caregiver supports should consider sandwich caregivers’ unique characteristics and their racial/ethnic backgrounds.

EVALUATING AGING IN PLACE LONG-TERM CARE REFORMS: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract There is a global trend of reforming long-term care to enable aging in place making it one of the most pressing health policy issues in both high- and low-middle income countries. However, there is no agreement on what is a successful aging in place reform. A holistic perspective that includes clinical, social and economic indicators is required to evaluate these reforms. In this scoping review, we aim to determine the extent of literature on evaluating aging in place reforms. We used the guidance of the JBI Scoping Review Methodology Group to conduct the scoping review. Articles on evaluation of aging in place reform and reporting on any outcome, process or structure quality indicator were eligible for inclusion. The search strategy was performed in Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, and Ebscohost Academic Search Premier. There were no restrictions on publication year, language, and study design. The search identified 8,107 records. A total of 84 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the scoping review. Most studies were quantitative, observational studies from high income countries, using national population level data or larger cohorts. Frequently reported indicators were: total expenditures on long-term care, program spending per capita, hospitalization rates, length of stay, and home care utilization. Less reported were older adult and informal caregiver related indicators like: health, well-being, informal caregiver hours, and sleeping hours. Policy makers can use our findings to develop appropriate strategies to evaluate and monitor their own aging in place reforms.

THE ROLE OF DEMENTIA AND SERIOUS ILLNESS IN RECEIPT OF PAID CARE

Abstract Little is known about receipt of paid care for individuals living at home with dementia and other non-dementia serious illnesses. This retrospective cohort study sought to characterize receipt of paid care among individuals with impairment in self-care activities and/or other manifestations of serious illness in the context of family caregiving and socioeconomic status. Data from participants ≥65 years enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study between 1998-2018 with new-onset need for help in ≥1 self-care task was linked to fee-for-service Medicare claims (sample n=2,521). We found that those who received paid care experienced higher healthcare utilization than those without paid care. Receipt of paid care was highest among those with multiple manifestations of serious illness: 41.7% of those with self-care impairment, dementia, and non-dementia serious illness received ≥40 hours of paid care per week. When present, paid care accounted for 54% of total caregiving hours. In multivariable models, those with Medicaid were more likely to receive paid care (p<0.001), but those in the highest income quartile received more hours of paid care (p=0.05.) Those with non-dementia serious illness were more likely to receive paid care (p<0.001), but those with dementia received more hours of paid care (p<0.001). The role of paid caregivers grows as people experience multiple manifestations of serious illness and high care hours are common among those with dementia. Future work should explore how paid caregivers can collaborate with families and healthcare teams to improve the health and well-being of the seriously ill living at home.

CARE-RECEIVING CHARACTERISTICS AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH DIFFERENT MENTAL–SOMATIC MULTIMORBIDITY COMBINATIONS

Abstract Older adults with distinct multimorbidity combinations require different care with varying intensities. This study aimed to examine sociodemographic, health, and care-receiving characteristics among older adults with varying multimorbidity patterns. A total of 4,719 participants from the National Health and Aging Trends Study in 2017 were included, and five clinically-informed multimorbidity categories were assessed: 169 (3.58%) had no conditions, 3031 (64.23%) had somatic conditions only, 347 (7.35%) had depression without cognitive impairment (depression group), 852 (18.05%) had cognitive impairment without depression (cognitive impairment group), and 320 (6.78%) had both depression and cognitive impairment. Compared with the depression group and cognitive impairment group, those with both depression and cognitive impairment were significantly older, more likely to be non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic, widowed, U.S. born, Medicaid recipients, underweight BMI, had lower levels of education and more functional limitations. Compared to the depression group, those with both depression and cognitive impairment had lower self-rated health, less likely to be a smoker, received 118 more hours of care per month on average with more caregivers in ADLs, banking, and money management. Compared with the cognitive impairment group, those with both depression and cognitive impairment had more somatic conditions, received an average of 70 more hours of care per month with more caregivers in ADLs. Results highlighted the substantially greater caregiving hours and intensities pertaining to the combination of depression and/or cognitive impairment, and suggested the potential of addressing mental health among older adults with or without dementia to improve their own and caregivers’ health outcomes.

Prioritizing intervention preferences to potentially reduce caregiver burden in racially and ethnically diverse close family members of cardiac arrest survivors

AimClose family members of cardiac arrest patients who survive to hospital discharge have elevated levels of psychological distress and caregiver burden. We assessed their preferences toward needs during hospitalization and beyond to inform intervention development. MethodsThrough an online survey developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, cardiac arrest survivors, and families, adult close family members recruited through advocacy organizations ranked top choice among 8 unique interventions addressing either information-based needs (n = 4) or well-being needs (n = 4). Logistic Regression analysis was conducted to assess the associations of family members’ attributes, caregiving characteristics, and survivors’ hospitalization factors with two intervention groups. ResultsOf 657 responses received, ranking data of 550 close family members (59% between 18–40 years of age, 65% female, 51% of minority race/ethnicity, 53% partners, provided a median of 8 hours of caregiving, for a median of 4.5 months) were analyzed. Information needs were the more commonly preferred intervention group (63%; n = 347), with education on the potential recovery of survivors ranking first (28%; n = 149). In a multivariate model, family members age >40 years, families witnessing the cardiac arrest, assuming the caregiver role either during hospitalization or within one month of hospital discharge, and discharging directly to home were significantly associated with prioritizing information needs over well-being needs, after adjusting for sex, race, intensity, and duration of caregiving. ConclusionsInterventions focusing on information needs are among the top priorities for families of cardiac arrest survivors. Prospective studies testing these hypotheses-generating findings are needed to inform further intervention development.

The Challenging Role of Informal Carers Within the Long-Term Care System in Japan: Focusing on Issues of Japanese Working Carers

Despite the increasing demand for long-term care (LTC) caused by demographic changes and several long-term care insurance (LTCI) program reforms, formal care in Japan is shrinking because of public financial constraints, leading to many problems for informal carers. Because more than half of the informal carers are employed in paying jobs, balancing working and caregiving roles is an important issue in the political agenda. Based on an online survey data of working carers of care recipients eligible for the LTCI program (N=600), this study aims to examine informal carers’ challenging role within the Japanese LTC system, and analyze the work-life balance issues of working carers. The results reveal that most of the respondents are their parents’ carers and more than half co-reside with the care-recipients. With the community promoting comprehensive care, many frail older adults now use a combination of formal and informal care services. Additionally, over three hours of informal caregiving per day, age, marital status, co-residence with the care recipient, self-rated health, and insufficient understanding of the caregiving role in the workplace are significantly related to the psychological well-being of informal carers. Furthermore, most of the aforementioned factors are also associated with turnover intention due to caregiving responsibilities. Informal care is a crucial component of the Japanese LTC system and to alleviate informal working carers’ struggles and decrease unwanted turnover, it is necessary to consider the link between formal and informal care, together with support programs for informal carers.

Cost of informal dementia care by US state, 2010‐2019

AbstractBackgroundThere are significant costs associated with dementia care throughout the world. These are expected to rise as populations age. Informal (unpaid) care represents a large fraction of these costs, although it is challenging to measure. In the United States, estimates of the cost of informal dementia care are dated and measured only at the national level. To fill this gap, we estimated the cost of informal care attributable to dementia through 2019 for each US state.MethodThe value of informal care is estimated as the replacement cost (cost of an equivalent number of hours of paid care) and opportunity cost (expected cost of forgone wages of the caregivers). We combine data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), and the Health and Retirement Study to estimate caregiving hours at the state level from 2010‐2019. NHATS data are used to estimate the fraction of caregiving hours attributable to dementia.ResultIn 2019, the average annual per‐patient cost of informal care attributable to dementia was $42,271 ($37,338‐$47,898) using the replacement cost method and $19,769 ($15,711‐$25,029) using the opportunity cost method. These estimates imply a national cost of $207.2B ($183.1B‐$234.8B) or $96.9B ($77.0B‐$122.7B) per year, respectively. State‐level estimates show significant variation in informal caregiving hours per prevalent case of dementia. In 2019, the annual replacement cost of informal care provided per patient ranged from $15,885 ($13,941 ‐$17,979) in Nebraska to $71,438 ($63,155 ‐$80,316) in New Mexico. The opportunity cost had a larger spread in relative terms, ranging from $6,653 ($5,233‐$8,417) in Nebraska to $36,831 ($29,071‐$46,833) in Missouri. Co‐occurrence of diabetes mellitus prevalence is associated with more informal care hours for the average adult living with dementia, while average years of education of the caregiver is associated with fewer informal care hours.ConclusionThe hours spent on informal care per prevalent case of dementia vary dramatically by state. This work adds to our understanding of health and demographic factors that are associated with hours of informal care, which can help policymakers plan for future increases in dementia prevalence and assess policy to support caregivers.

Dementia Caregiver Burden associated with COVID‐19 quarantine: A South American Cohort Study

AbstractBackgroundIn December 2019, a new virus, Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19/SARS‐CoV‐2), burst into the world. Social distancing reduces its transmission and delays the spread peak. However, because of the late arrival of vaccines to our region, Argentina had a rigorous mandatory preventive social isolation (MPSI) policy that extended beyond global record. As a result, MPSI had a disruptive impact on the actions associated with the well‐being of dementia patients, and caregivers. In addition, MPSI added to the well‐known caregiver burden already present in many dementia patients’ caregivers. This study aims to investigate the impact of MPSI on dementia patients’ caregivers’ mental health and to identify predictors of caregivers’ burden.MethodA sample of 112 caregivers (75.89% female; age 58.65 ± 14.30) of patients with dementia answered a survey with the following questionnaires: Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Weekly hourly load dedicated to dementia care, time spent on leisure activities (activity diary provided by Argentine National Institute of Statistics and Census), the Caregiver Activities Survey (CAS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS‐21). These questionnaires evaluate caregiving characteristics and their impact on the caregiver. Additionally, history of COVID‐19 was recorded for patients, caregivers and people living with either of them.ResultMost caregivers were women (75.89%). This difference hindered direct comparison between men and women. A regularized L2 regression was performed and the number of caregiving hours (β = 0.090), depression (β = 0.085), anxiety (β = 0.099), stress (β = 0.164), and fear of COVID‐19 (β = 0.141), were identified as predictors of caregiver burden. Finally, a mediation analysis was also performed, and hours of care (CAS; r = 0.254), being the primary caregiver, and fear of COVID‐19 (r = 0.335) were identified as mediators of the effect between anxiety, depression, stress (DASS) and burden (ZBI).ConclusionCaregivers of dementia patients show sequelaes of anxiety, stress, depression, and caregivers’ burden in the context of COVID‐19 spread and during MPSI. Being a primary caregiver, dedicating more hours to caregiving, and fear of COVID‐19 are factors that contribute significantly to caregiver burden and mediate between this burden and mood variables. Relief of caregivers' burden could be aided by the design of public health policies that specifically address the mediators identified in this study.

Assessing the psychological impact of COVID‐19 on rural informal caregivers of persons living with dementia in the United States

AbstractBackgroundInformal caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD) in rural areas of the United States (U.S.) are a vulnerable population. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, rural communities experienced heightened disparities in social services, healthcare[1], and mortality[2], including suicides[3,4]. Yet, how the pandemic affected rural caregivers is largely unknown. We examined predictors of depression and stress, as well as self‐perceived impact of COVID‐19, among rural caregivers of PLWD.MethodAs part of the Rural Dementia Caregiver Project[5], U.S. rural informal caregivers of PLWD completed an online survey from March 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022. We conducted a mixed‐method analysis of responses to validated scales and an open‐ended question. Caregiver outcome measures include depressive symptoms[6] and stress[7]. Predictors include caregiver COVID‐19 limitations[8], loneliness[9], social isolation[10], and burden[11]. Linear regression analyses examined independent associations of predictors with outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, and caregiving hours spent per week. We completed thematic analysis of responses to the question, “How has COVID impacted your life as a caregiver?” to contextualize quantitative findings.ResultA total of 152 rural caregivers completed the survey, and of those 127 responded the open‐ended question. Most (81%) caregivers were aged 50 years and older, and 82% were female. Factors positively associated with caregiver depressive symptoms were loneliness (β = 0.72, p<0.0001) and burden (β = 3.18, p<0.01). Factors positively associated with caregiver stress were loneliness (β = 0.22, p<0.05) and burden (β = 1.28, p<0.05). COVID‐19 limitations and social isolation were not associated with depressive symptoms or stress. Qualitative results confirmed quantitative results (e.g., loneliness, increased burden) and revealed other aspects of the psychosocial context of pandemic caregivers including both negative (e.g., worry, decline in care partner health) and positive (e.g., increased time with care partner) factors (Table 1).ConclusionWe found that loneliness and care burden contributed to the psychological distress of rural caregivers of PLWD during the COVID‐19 pandemic, and identified other contextual factors of their experiences. The pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities and exposed new ones. Rural caregivers should receive increased support to address the psychosocial stressors and burdens endured during the current pandemic and future catastrophic events.

The Economic Value of Caregiving in Chile

ABSTRACT Population aging will increase the demand for long-term care services. Many countries, including Chile, have not implemented comprehensive responses to address these demands, relying on informal care. This article aims to estimate the economic value of caregiving in Chile, contributing to filling a gap in the literature and the policy debate. Economic value is estimated using replacement and opportunity cost approaches using two nationally representative databases: one survey on time use (to estimate hours of caregiving) and one on socioeconomic characterization (to identify caregivers and wages). Regressions for the determinants of caregiving effort and wages in the formal labor market are used to calculate the market value of caregiving time. Results show that the yearly value of caregiving ranges between US$266 million (when assuming a wage equal to the minimum wage for all caregivers) and US$4,946 million (when replacing all caregivers with nurses), i.e. between 0.11% and 1.95% of the country’s gross domestic product. The analysis provides several estimations of the economic value of caregivers in Chile and, even considering these calculations can be underestimated, the results show the need to highlight and value the contribution of caregivers and implement policies to address the increase in long-term care needs in the country.

Predictors of Psychological Distress Among Rural Family/Friend Caregivers of People Living With Dementia in the United States: Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Caregivers of persons living with dementia in rural United States are a vulnerable population. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, rural communities experienced heightened disparities in social services, healthcare, suicides, and mortality. Guided by the Caregiving Stress Process Model, this study examines the relationship between the stressors and resources of rural caregivers of persons living with dementia and their experience of depression, stress, and COVID-19. One hundred and fifty-two rural caregivers of persons living with dementia completed an online survey, March 1, 2021-April 30, 2022. Analyses used baseline responses to validated scales and an open-ended question, "How has COVID impacted your life as a caregiver?" Dependent variables were depressive symptoms and stress. Bivariate and hierarchical linear regression analyses examined associations of stressors and resources with depressive symptoms and stress. Thematic analysis examined open-ended question responses. Among examined stressors, high care burden (b = 1.94, p < .05) and loneliness (b = 0.76, p < .0001) were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Loneliness (b = 0.24, p < .05) and ≥41 hr spent caregiving per week (reference 10-20 hr; b = 0.99, p < .05) were associated with stress. Among examined resources, self-efficacy for caregiving (b = -0.21, p < .05) was inversely associated with stress. Qualitative results confirmed quantitative results and identified additional pandemic-related themes in stressors and resources. We found that caregiver burden, loneliness, and caregiving hours were associated with greater psychological distress among rural caregivers of persons living with dementia during the pandemic, whereas self-efficacy for caregiving was protective. Rural caregivers need increased support to address care burdens and enhance psychological resources for caregiving. NCT04428112.

Evaluating Elements of the Care Partner Experience in Individuals Who Care for People with Alzheimer's Disease Across the Severity Spectrum.

Non-professional care partners play an important and often evolving role in the care of persons living with Alzheimer's disease (PLWAD). We investigated two elements of the care partner experience, namely time and strain incurred by care partners providing care to PLWAD across the severity spectrum. Data gathered from the Alzheimer's Disease Patient and Caregiver Engagement (AD PACE) What Matters Most (WMM) study series were analyzed to determine how much time care partners spent providing care to PLWAD based on where the care recipients lived. Additionally, quantitative assessments of weekly hours providing care and the strain experienced by care partners were conducted using the UsAgainstAlzheimer's A-LIST Insights Series survey, which included the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI). Finally, a targeted literature review was conducted to contextualize findings and characterize the existing literature landscape. Care partners in the AD PACE WMM studies (n = 139) spent significantly more hours providing care for recipients who lived with someone (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 57.3 ± 44.3h/week) than for recipients who lived alone (26.0 ± 12.0h/week) (P = 0.0096) or lived in assisted living/nursing home (23.6 ± 14.4h/week) (P = 0.0002). In the A-LIST Insights Series survey, care partners provided an overall mean (± SD) 58.1 ± 53.0h of direct care each week, with caregiving hours increasing with increasing severity of AD/AD-related dementias(AD/ADRD). Additionally, care partners for recipients with mild (n = 14), moderate (n = 111), and severe AD/ADRD (n = 91) had overall mean MCSI scores of 9.0 ± 3.8 (range 2-14), 13.3 ± 4.8 (range 4-23), and 17.5 ± 5.3 (range 4-26), respectively, with higher scores suggesting greater care partner strain. Persons living with AD require increasing levels of care along the spectrum of disease, and even individuals with early disease need care from partners. Early interventions that slow progression of AD and programs that improve family function may have beneficial impact on the experiences of care partners for recipients with mild, moderate, or severe AD.

Burden of care on family caregivers of patients of gastrointestinal cancers in a tertiary care institute

Background: Gastrointestinal tract cancers are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally and cause family members to become primary caregivers. Method: The observational cross- sectional study was conducted using a pretested questionnaire and BSFC short form scale on 156 primary family care givers of patients suffering from and seeking treatment for cancer of the gastrointestinal tract from June 2021 to May 2022 in a tertiary care institute. Result: Mean age of family caregiver was 48.6 (4.7) years and the majority were female 111 (71.1 %). Average duration of primary care given was 2.62(1.24) years. 94 (60.2%) family care givers provided &gt; 8hr duration of care. 103 (66%) of the family caregivers suffered from moderate burden, 39 (25%) from heavy burden and only 14 (8.97%) family caregivers considered burden as mild. Significant association was found between &gt;8 hours of caregiving, caregiver having a comorbid illness, treatment outcome and financial distress borne during the course of treatment and burden of caregiving. Conclusion: Burden of caregiving in the family caregivers of cases of gastrointestinal cancer has the capacity to create ripples in the primary life domains of the caregiver and needs to be looked into.

Level of knowledge and quality of life among Saudi caregivers of Parkinson’s disease patients: A study from a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

PurposeWe aimed to assess the family caregivers’ level of knowledge and attitudes about Parkison’s disease (PD), identify factors affecting their knowledge, evaluate their quality of life (QoL) and factors influencing it and to define the effect of PD on activities of daily living (ADLs) of PD patients. MethodWe developed and validated a questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes of family caregivers toward PD, effects of PD on caregivers’ QoL as well as its effects on activities of daily living (ADLs) of patients from the caregivers’ perspective. A scoring system was utilized and SPSS was used to evaluate the differences in responses between the groups; p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results69 caregivers and their corresponding patients were included in the study. Family caregivers had a low level of knowledge, as reflected by a mean score of 3.45 out of 8. However, 62.3% were aware of all medications used by their patients. Additionally, the level of knowledge was associated with caregivers’ gender as 57.1% of the female caregivers had medium PD knowledge scores while 58.5% of the male had low scores (p = 0.038). The level of knowledge was also associated with daily caregiving hours as only 44.5% of caregivers whom spending 0–5 h/day had medium and high knowledge scores while greater proportions with same scoring levels were found among those providing care > 5 h/day (75.0% in > 5–10 hrs; 52.4% in > 10–24 hrs; p = 0.024). Most caregivers confirmed their QoL had declined, yet the male caregivers had better QoL than females (p = 0.026). Longer caregiving time was associated with decline (p = 0.016) and severe effect on QoL of caregivers (p = 0.04). ConclusionCaregivers of PD patients had a low level of knowledge. Female caregivers had significantly higher level of PD knowledge than their male counterparts. Low level of PD knowledge was significantly associated with shorter caregiving time per day. Longer caregiving time was significantly associated with a decline in caregivers’ QoL. Increasing awareness and knowledge among caregivers is necessary to ensure better treatment outcomes and improve the QoL of both caregivers and patients.

Caregiver burden and its associated factors among primary caregivers of stroke survivors at Amhara regional state tertiary hospitals: a multicenter study

BackgroundCaregivers of stroke survivors play a crucial role in post-stroke functional recovery and the prevention of complications. Although the situation is incredibly stressful and intimidating and the caregiver burden is high, there is little evidence in the local Ethiopian context of the extent of the burden among caregivers of stroke survivors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of caregiver burden and its associated factors among primary caregivers of stroke survivors in Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Amhara regional state tertiary hospitals from April to June 2022. A standardized questionnaire was used to record factors associated with caregiver burden, including sociodemographic, clinical, and care situation factors. The Zarit caregiver burden interview (short form) was used to assess the level of caregiver burden. A systematic random sampling method was employed to select the study participants. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to identify the potential factors associated with the level of caregiver burden.ResultsThe overall prevalence burden among primary caregivers of stroke survivors was 67%. 61.1% had a mild to moderate burden, while 5.9% had a severe burden. In multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis, sex, household income, duration of care, and duration of caregiving hours per day were factors significantly associated with the level of burden among caregivers of stroke survivors.ConclusionsBeing female, having a low household income, caring for more than 3 months, and caring for more than 6 h per day were factors significantly associated with the burdens of the primary caregivers of stroke survivors. It is better: health care providers must recognize and screen for burdens and provide special attention.

Time poverty and gender in urban sub‐Saharan Africa: Long working days and long commutes in Ghana's Greater Accra Metropolitan Area

AbstractThis study uses a mixed‐methods approach and primary data to consider how the length of the working day in Ghana's Greater Accra Metropolitan Area is shaped by time in paid and unpaid work and commuting. The analysis investigates gender differences in the length of the working day and the incidence of time poverty, and explores the relationship between long working days, long and arduous commutes and well‐being. Women are found to be more time poor, and their longer hours of unpaid household caregiving and chores and more difficult commutes have consequences for their leisure time, family–life and health.

E-Learning platform for dementia caregivers

E-Learning platform for dementia caregivers Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing is developing a multimedia e-learning platform for dementia caregivers; here, they share the vast benefits. Taking care of a loved one who has dementia is a challenging task for family members. According to an opinion survey conducted by Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing (JCCPA), almost 90% of caregivers reported experiencing stress while caring for a family member with dementia, with about half of them experiencing frequent episodes of stress.(1) Data indicates that family members who assume the primary role of caring for individuals with dementia experience a significant burden of caregiving. On average, caregivers devote between five and 20 hours per day to caring for these individuals.(2) Extended caregiving hours can reduce the time available for rest and social engagement, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.(3) It is common for caregivers to experience high levels of depression.(4)

Association between Hematopoietic Function and Physical Activity in Caregivers

Background: Caregiver sense of physical and mental burden differs depending on their health and psychological state. Given that they may be in poor health due to long hours of caregiving and nighttime care, they are expected to be under undue stress. Although anemia may influence the sense of fatigue among elderly caregivers, no study has assessed the relationship between their hematopoietic state and amount of physical activity. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between anemia-related parameters that reflect hematopoietic function and amount of physical activity in caregivers.