Elderly Caregivers Research Articles

Culturally Aligned Aged-Care Services: Addressing Needs and Barriers in General Santos City, Philippines

The aging population in General Santos City, Philippines, presents unique challenges in accessing and delivering appropriate aged-care services. This study aimed to identify the preferred aged-care services among the elderly population in General Santos City, considering their cultural values and needs, and to propose a framework for developing culturally aligned aged-care support services for the elderly in General Santos City. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. In-depth interviews with 30 elderly residents, community leaders, and caregivers were conducted to gather information on their preferences and needs for aged-care services. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. A survey questionnaire was also used to collect quantitative data on the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their perceptions of the importance of various aged-care services. The findings indicated healthcare services, home-based care, and social support as essential components of aged-care services. Barriers to accessing services included availability, affordability, accessibility, and awareness. Culturally sensitive, family-centered, and community-based care was preferred. The study also found that the elderly in General Santos City have a strong preference for culturally aligned aged-care services that are family-centered and community-based. They also expressed a need for affordable and accessible healthcare services, as well as social support services to reduce isolation and promote mental well-being. In conclusion, the study highlights the need for a holistic aged-care approach that integrates healthcare services, home-based care, and social support, while considering cultural values and addressing barriers to access. The proposed aged-care services emphasize culturally sensitive, family-centered, and community-based models of care. These models should be tailored to the specific needs of the elderly population in General Santos City, taking into account their cultural values and beliefs.

Family care and predictors of the disabled elderly in China: A cross-sectional study based on the Anderson model.

In light of China's progressively aging population, family care with the "warmth of affection" has always been an irreplaceable form of care that meets the wishes of the majority of disabled elderly to enjoy their twilight years comfortably. Data from a follow-up survey on the influencing factors of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 2018 and the Anderson Model was used as a theoretical framework to analyze the influencing factors using a binary logistic regression model. Children were the main providers of care services among disabled elderly in family care. Family care for disabled elderly was influenced by the combined effects of age (P < 0.01), gender (P < 0.05), marital status (P < 0.01), number of children (P < 0.01), housing ownership (P < 0.05), primary carer preference (P < 0.05), and self-assessed health (P < 0.01) were jointly affected. As a result, it's critical to set up a strong social support network that is focused on family caregiving and includes tailored interventions based on the requirements of disabled elderly and family caregivers.

Stress in Family Caregivers of Children with Chronic Health Conditions: A Case–Control Study

Objectives: This study analyzed the stress experienced by family caregivers of children with special healthcare needs and identified associated factors. Methods: A case–control study was conducted with the “cases” being caregivers of children with chronic conditions and the “controls” being caregivers of healthy children. Recruitment was carried out via social media and complemented by snowball sampling. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale were applied, with four saliva samples collected in one day (at 8:00 am, 30 min later, and 4 and 12 h later). The Area Under the Curve for total daily cortisol production was calculated using the log-trapezoidal method. The Wilcoxon test and repeated-measures ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Results: In total, 100 caregivers participated, with 50 in the “case” group and 50 in the “control” group. Significant differences in stress scores and salivary cortisol levels were observed between the groups, with the other variables constant. In both groups, cortisol levels followed a typical circadian pattern. Family income was associated with perceived stress. Caregiver age significantly explained perceived stress (p = 0.0098) and total cortisol production. Caregiver occupation also influenced cortisol results. Conclusions: Caregivers of children with chronic conditions showed higher perceived stress and lower cortisol production compared to those of healthy children. Family income, occupation, and caregiver age were associated with stress.

Family function, psychological distress and burden in informal caregivers of people with dementia

Abstract Background Dementia presents a public health priority due to its high global prevalence, mortality, economic cost, and caregiver burden (CB). Dementia care can be stressful and may negatively influence the health of informal caregivers. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify psychological and social factors associated with subjective CB in informal home care providers of people with dementia (PwD), controlling for sociodemographic, clinical, and care-related variables. Methods We included 115 informal caregivers of PwD from community settings (mean age: 54.0±12.4 years; 81.7% women). Participants fulfilled the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Family APGAR, and the short IQCODE used to assess dementia severity. Multiple linear analyses were used to analyse the data. Results The mean caregiving duration was 4.8±4.8 years, and 55.7% of informal caregivers extend care for &amp;gt;40 hours/week. We found that a total of 52.5 % of informal caregivers experienced a high CB (ZBI-12 cut-off score: 17). Univariate analyses showed an association between depression (β = 0.36; p &amp;lt; 0.001), anxiety (β = 0.52; p &amp;lt; 0.001), family dysfunction (β = 0.36; p &amp;lt; 0.001), and CB. Regression analyses showed that CB was the most strongly associated with anxiety (β = 0.51; p &amp;lt; 0.001). This association weakened (0.47; p &amp;lt; 0.01) when family function was added to the final model (β=-0.22; p &amp;lt; 0.05). The final model explained 23.5% of the variance in CB. No associations between the caregiver's age, sex, caregiving duration, the extent of care per day, use of community care, dementia severity, and depression were identified. Conclusions Long-term care for people living with dementia can be very demanding. Thus, the implementation of tailored interventions to enhance family function and diminish psychological distress can mitigate level of caregiver burden. [Grant support: APVV-22-0587]. Key messages • Dementia caregiving is a global public health priority. • The caregiver’s burden and distress can be alleviated by the interventions focusing on family dysfunction.

Race Differences in Purpose in Life Among Family Caregivers: Findings From the Caregiving Transitions Study.

Family caregiving may affect purpose in life, defined as the sense that life has meaning and intentionality. Few studies have compared caregivers to non-caregivers or examined the characteristics of caregivers associated with purpose in life. Using data from the Caregiving Transitions Study (n = 486), we conducted multiple linear regression analyses to test the effects of caregiver status, age, gender, social network, and physical and mental health on purpose in life. We also tested whether the effect of caregiver status differed by race and, among caregivers (n = 241), the associations between caregiving characteristics and purpose in life. Caregivers did not differ significantly from non-caregivers in purpose in life in adjusted analysis. Among caregivers, significantly greater purpose of life was observed among Black caregivers and those reporting higher positive aspects of caregiving. Future research should examine these issues longitudinally, and caregiver interventions should consider addressing purpose in life and positive aspects of caregiving.

Development of Self-Help Lifting Pads for Elderly People with Difficulty in Sitting Up

As individuals age, physiological changes can make it increasingly difficult to sit up unassisted. This study aimed to develop ergonomic self-help lifting pads to aid elderly individuals. The first phase involved constructing the pads and a needs assessment with elderly participants and caregivers to survey the physical dimensions and requirements for the design. The second phase focused on cost, engineering, and usage efficiency. Cost efficiency was analyzed using descriptive statistics, engineering efficiency was assessed through testing seat cushion, force reduction, and electrical safety, and usage efficiency was evaluated with participants aged 40 to 50 years. Results from the first phase indicated that the pads should be at least 53.15 cm wide and 153 cm long, with a need for relaxation and affordability. In the second phase, prototype pads were developed according to these specifications. A cost analysis showed that while the manual pad was more expensive than comparable products, the other variants were more cost-effective. Engineering tests confirmed that the cushions met ASTM D3574 standards and that the electrical components conformed to IEC 60335 standards. Usage efficiency ratings were the highest for the massage system pad. Participant feedback indicated longer pads, more convenient controls, and increased cushion comfort, guiding the development of the second version.

Caregiver burden, religious coping, and spiritual well-being among caregivers of elderly stroke patients and predictors affecting spiritual well-being.

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. Stroke usually creates a range of disabilities such as physical deficits and difficulty in performing daily activities. These long-term needs and the continuous caregiving sequence affect the care burden and spiritual well-being of caregivers. The correlational study population consisted of caregivers of stroke older patients (N = 100). Burden Interview Scale, Spiritual Well-Being Scale and Religious Coping Scale were used. Descriptive analyses, independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation, regression analyses were used to evaluate the data. The mean age of caregivers was 48.38 ± 13.52 years. The score of Burden Interview Scale was 31.41 ± 15.13 (light/moderate), Negative Religious Coping was 7.39 ± 3.17 (moderate), Positive Religious Coping was 24.30 ± 4.34 (high), and Spiritual Well-Being was 21.65 ± 6.73 (low). There is a significant relationship between Burden Interview and Negative Religious Coping (r = 0.274; P = 0.006), Burden Interview and spiritual well-being (r = -0.563; P = 0.000), and spiritual well-being and positive religious coping (r = 0.228; P = 0.026). The predictors that affect the spiritual well-being of caregivers were found to be Burden Interview (β = -0.571) and Positive Religious Coping (β = 0.181) (P < 0.05). Nurses play an important role in increasing the spiritual well-being levels and religious coping behaviours of caregivers. Nurses should communicate empathically with caregivers, understand their feelings, and provide emotional support.

Prevalence and Predictors of Stress Among Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disorders.

Medical care advances pose challenges with rising caregiving costs and fewer informal caregivers, shifting healthcare responsibilities to families. Healthcare systems adapt to technological changes, stressing person-centered care but lack support for caregivers. Addressing parental stress is crucial, given its impact on both parent and child well-being, highlighting the necessity for customized support. The study aimed to evaluate caregivers' perceived stress and its connection with socio-demographic factors and children's characteristics. Conducted at a Rehabiltation Institute's Psychology Outpatient Department, 200 mothers were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Ethical clearance was obtained, and demographic data were collected. The mean perceived stress score (PSS-10) was 31.94, indicating a positive correlation between stress and socio-demographic and disability-related variables. Significant differences in stress levels were observed between joint and nuclear family caregivers, p < .01, and those with daughters versus sons with disabilities < 0.001. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between perceived stress and caregiver p = < 0.001 and child age p = < 0.001, number of children p = < 0.001, and time since diagnosis p = < 0.001, with negative correlations with caregiver education p = < .001and income p = < 0.001. Multiple linear regression indicated that caregiver and child age, time since diagnosis, and the number of children positively predicted while income and education of the caregiver negatively predicted perceived stress. No significant association was found between other variables like family volunteers' education, disability type, and caregiver stress. Caregivers exhibited high perceived stress levels, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between child characteristics and parental stress, emphasizing the need for comprehensive family interventions.

Determinants of quality of life decrease in family caregivers of care-dependent patients: a longitudinal study.

Family caregivers of care-dependent patients experience a decline in their Quality of Life (QoL). However, the determinants contributing to this decrease in QoL are still not fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate prospectively the determinants contributing to decreased QoL among family caregivers of care-dependent patients. This longitudinal study involved 135 family caregivers in Brazil. Data were collected at baseline from October 2016 to August 2017, and at follow-up from December 2021 to July 2022. During both periods, we administered a questionnaire that covered sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics of the participants; the Barthel Index to assess the dependency level of the patients; and the WHOQOL-bref to assess the caregivers' QoL. Both caregivers and care-dependent patients were more frequently elderly (44.4% versus 74.6%), female (79.3% versus 61.5%), and had non-communicable disease (60.0% versus 94.3%) at baseline. Most patients experienced a worsening in their level of dependency (59.8%), while over a third of family caregivers (34.8%) reported a decline in their General Quality of Life Index. Eight determinants of decreased QoL were identified: four protective factors (religious faith, physical activity, sharing caregiving responsibilities, and sufficient sleep) and four risk factors (patient hospitalization in the past year, patient increased care dependency, older family caregiver age, and longer caregiving duration). Many factors influencing caregiver QoL are modifiable through intervention, underscoring the need for public policies to support family caregivers. Healthcare professionals can play a vital role in promoting protective factors and addressing risk factors to enhance caregiver QoL.

Intensity of care and the health status of caregivers to elderly rural South Africans.

Informal caregivers play an indispensable role in and are often the sole source of care for older adults in low and middle-income settings worldwide. Intensive informal care predicts mortality and morbidity among caregivers in higher-income settings. However, there is limited evidence from poorer settings, including Africa countries, where caregiving is shared widely, including across generations. We therefore investigated caregivers' health status in rural South Africa. We conducted quantitative interviews with all household members and all non-household caregivers aged ≥12 (n=1012) of 106 older adults in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. We used multivariable regression with care-recipient random intercepts to assess the relationships between four caregiving characteristics and both self-reported chronic conditions and self-reported health status, considering how caregiver age moderated each association. Over half of all caregivers reported at least one chronic health condition, despite half being aged under 40. Caregivers self-reporting the worst health status provided high hours of care. However, caregivers' health status was not significantly associated with weekly care quantity or history of caring. Those aged ≥40 who reported being a main caregiver had 52% increased odds of reporting poorer health compared to other same-aged carers (95% confidence interval: 0.99, 2.35), while having more chronic conditions was associated with being expected to act as a sole caregiver more often among caregivers aged ≤39. Greater caring responsibilities for older adults were not consistently associated with caregivers' health in a setting where poor health is common, and caregiving is spread widely. Longitudinal data is necessary to unpack possible explanations of these findings, and to determine whether intensive caregiving speeds downward health trajectories for carers.

Building Resilience during Compassion Fatigue: Autoethnographic Accounts of College Students and Faculty

Compassion fatigue (CF) is a well-researched topic in the fields of mental health and nursing. However, studies on CF in the fields of primary, secondary, and higher education are very recent and scant. Compassion fatigue (CF) can be defined as the empathic strain or general exhaustion experienced by helping professionals such as psychotherapists, nurses, social workers, healthcare workers, family caregivers, and elderly caregivers. In this paper, utilizing the Double ABC-X Stress Model, we explored the antecedents, experiences, and consequences of compassion fatigue among college students and professionals who have previous personal experiences with stress and trauma, work with children and families, and work in higher education to prepare professionals to work in such fields. This study uses an autoethnographic approach, where the five authors of the study were also the participants. Utilizing the lifespan and ecological perspectives, we examined the symptoms preceding compassion fatigue and preventative strategies, as well as risk factors and protective factors. This study covers a breadth of compassion fatigue, from predisposition to onset and recovery, and considers alternative strategies for coping, including creating meaning from difficult experiences.

Perceptions about dementia clinical trials among underrepresented populations: a nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers

BackgroundThe research community has historically failed to enroll diverse groups of participants in dementia clinical trials. A unique aspect of dementia care research is the requirement of a study partner, who can attest to the care recipient’s clinical and functional capacity. The aim of this study is to assess racial and ethnic differences and the importance of various trial considerations among dementia caregivers, in their decision to participate in clinical research as study partners.MethodWe embedded a vignette about a hypothetical dementia clinical trial in a nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers, oversampling non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic caregivers. Dementia caregivers were asked about their willingness to participate in the trial with their care recipient and rated the importance of nine considerations in hypothetical decisions to participate. Caregiver demographic characteristics were analyzed as predictors of trial participation in a base demographic model. In a second reasons model caregiver demographic characteristics and the rated importance of the nine considerations were separately analyzed as predictors; both models used survey-weighted logistic regression.ResultThe sample consisted of 610 dementia caregivers, including 156 non-Hispanic Black and 122 Hispanic caregiver participants. In the base demographic model, hypothetical trial participation was negatively associated with older caregiver age (OR (odds ratio) = 0.72, p = < 0.001). In the reasons model, the rated importance of a social responsibility to help others by participating in research was significantly associated with participation (OR = 1.56, p = 0.049), while the importance of the possibility of the care recipient experiencing serious side effects was negatively associated with participation (OR = 0.51, p = 0.003). In both models there was no significant difference in hypothetical participation between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White caregivers, or between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White caregivers.ConclusionHispanic and non-Hispanic Black dementia caregivers were not less likely than non-Hispanic White dementia caregivers to participate in a hypothetical dementia clinical trial. Our study suggests that failures to recruit diverse populations in dementia clinical research are not attributable to less willingness among members of underrepresented groups but may instead reflect structural barriers and historic exclusion from trial participation.

Cross-sectional study of factors associated with caregiver's burden in patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders in urban India.

Pharmacotherapy has deinstitutionalized the patients with psychotic disorder. This has led to the transfer of the caregiving burden from hospitals to family members of the patients. This study aimed to assess the caregivers' burden and the factors associated with it objectively. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted amongst 143 caregivers of patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders reporting to a psychiatric outpatient department. The investigative tool used was a 12-item ZARIT Burden Interview (ZBI) questionnaire. The frequency of schizophrenia amongst patients with psychotic disorder was 68.5%. The median age of caregivers was 50 years in the "high burden" group, 40 years in the "moderate burden" group, and 34 years in the "no/mild burden" group. The mean score of burden experienced by the caregiver was 27.5 ± 9.7. The degree of burden was high in 66% of caregivers. The caregivers were generally more females, married, less educated, and mainly parents. A high degree of burden was associated with variables viz. female gender (OR 1.77 [0.88, 3.57], P = .043), low education status (OR 2.31 [1.09, 4.91] P = .002), unemployed status (OR 2.32 [1.12, 4.78] P = .027) and, increasing age of caregiver. No significant association was found between the degree of burden and variables, viz. marital status of caregivers, duration of caregiving, and duration of patient's illness. The current study identifies variables that can predict caregiver's burden. These results also suggest the implementation of psycho-educational, community-based programs which can address the core issues associated with caregiving.

Family intergenerational stress: Concept exploration and development via coping and identity management.

The sandwich generation faces dual responsibilities of supporting parents and raising children, resulting in heightened levels of stress and negative work-related outcomes. Despite a wealth of research on the sandwich generation, few studies have examined the specific nature of the multigenerational needs of the sandwich generation. Accordingly, we introduce a new concept termed family intergenerational stress (FIS), which refers to the interaction and integration of stresses from elder caregiving, child-rearing, and associated challenges with self-definition. Through the lens of FIS, we collected interview data from 137 sandwich generation employees, secondary network data, and field observation data from 21 employees. We further used grounded theory to explore employees' stress and coping responses to dual family responsibilities. Findings indicate that employees with both elder caregiving and child-rearing responsibilities experience FIS. This, in turn, threatens their identity as an ideal worker and is associated with lower work engagement. Findings further reveal that in coping with FIS, employees adopt different identity-based strategies. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Factors Associated With the Health Literacy of Caregivers of Patients Undergoing Cranial Neurological Surgery

Caregiver health literacy (HL) in patients' transition from hospital to home care is an important factor for good results. This study aimed to evaluate the HL and associated factors among informal caregivers of cranial neurosurgery patients in a middle-income country. This cross-sectional study included 89 patient-informal caregiver dyads in Brazil. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire short-short form (HLS-EU-Q6). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and a binary logistic regression model. The caregivers' average age was 48 ± 13.48 years, and 73.0% of them were female. It was found that 6.7% of the caregivers had inadequate HL, 61.8% had problematic HL, and 31.4% had sufficient HL. Being a healthcare professional was significantly associated with sufficient HL (p = 0.016). Furthermore, healthcare workers had more years of schooling than other caregivers (15.3 ± 4.6 vs. 11.2 ± 4.6; p = 0.013). For every 1-year increase in caregiver age, there was a decrease of 0.041 points on the HLS-EU-Q6. Being a healthcare professional increased HL scores by 11.4%. Key findings showed that caregivers with higher HL were typically younger, male, better educated, and more likely to be healthcare professionals. These caregivers managed patients with lower dependence on daily activities, while those with lower HL, mainly females, cared for patients with higher dependence. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions and public policies to enhance HL among caregivers, particularly to improve outcomes for patients with complex needs.

Effect of Emergency Scenario-Based Training Program on Knowledge, Self-confidence, and Competency of Elderly Caregiver Volunteers in a Rural Thai Community: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Many older people with comorbidities encounter emergency or life-threatening situations, but the response is often neglected or delayed, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality rates. Community preparedness to reduce the impact of emergency crises on older people is essential. This study aimed to determine the effect of an emergency scenario-based training program (ESBTP) for elderly care on the knowledge, self-confidence, and competency of volunteer caregivers in a rural Thai community. The one-group pre-post-test, quasi-experimental study, was conducted with a non-randomized research sampling of 40 community healthcare volunteers in Vibhavadi district, Surat Thani, Thailand. The research was conducted between October and December 2021. The ESBTP was based on Bloom's learning theory. The research instrument was a three-part questionnaire measuring knowledge, self-confidence, and competency in geriatric life-threatening surveillance and emergency assistance (GLTSEA) at one, four, and eight weeks of training. Data were analyzed using Bonferroni statistics and repeated measures ANOVA through the software IBM SPSS version 28 with hypothesis testing at P<0.05. The results revealed that at Week 1, Week 4, and Week 8, the volunteers attending the ESBTP demonstrated significantly higher GLTSEA competency (P<0.001). Otherwise, the participants were not significantly different in GLTSEA knowledge (P=0.068) and self-confidence (P= 0.052) after the training. Volunteers' competency increased after ESBTP, but there must be continuity in community training to develop the relevant knowledge, self-confidence, and skills for emergencies.

Low caregiver health literacy is associated with non-urgent pediatric emergency department use.

Caregivers with low health literacy are more likely to overestimate illness severity and have poor adherence with health-promoting behaviors. Our primary objective was to relate caregiver health literacy to the urgency of emergency department (ED) utilization. The secondary objective was to explore the relationship between social and demographic characteristics, health literacy, and urgency of ED use. This sub-study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey with health record review. Data were collected from ten Canadian pediatric EDs. Study variables included demographics, visit details, and the Newest Vital Sign measurement of health literacy. ED visits were classified as urgent or non-urgent based on the resource utilization method. The response rate was 97.6% (n = 2005). Mean (SD) caregiver age was 37.0 (7.7) years, 74.3% (n = 1950) were mothers, 72.6% (n = 1953) spoke English as a primary language, 51.0% (n = 1946) had a university degree, and 45.1% (n = 1699) had a household income greater than $100,000. The mean (SD) age of the children was 5.9 (5.0) years and 48.1% (n = 1956) were female. 43.7% (n = 1957) of caregivers had low health literacy. Being a caregiver with a child < 2years old [aOR 1.83 (1.35, 2.48)] and low health literacy [aOR 1.56 (1.18, 2.05)] were associated with greater non-urgent pediatric ED use. Interprovincial variation was evident: Quebec caregivers were less likely to use the pediatric ED for non-urgent presentations compared to Alberta, while those in Nova Scotia, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario were more likely compared to Alberta. Almost half of caregivers presenting to Canadian pediatric EDs have low health literacy, which may limit their ability to make appropriate healthcare decisions for their children. Low caregiver health literacy is a modifiable factor associated with increased non-urgent ED utilization. Efforts to address this may positively influence ED utilization.

Effect of internet usage on the life satisfaction of the elderly spousal caregivers of disabled elderly

This empirical study examines the impact of internet usage on the life satisfaction of spousal caregivers responsible for elderly individuals with disabilities. Utilizing data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), released in November 2023, we analyzed the health status and life satisfaction of these caregivers in the context of the recent rapid development of the internet. A stratified Proportionate to Size Sampling (PPS) approach was employed in this investigation. We assessed whether the life satisfaction of spousal caregivers is associated with internet use and whether internet adoption can moderate intergenerational relationships, interpersonal interactions, and political engagement among these caregivers. The study analyzed a sample of 760 individuals, with an average age of 60.31 years, and rural households comprising 77.14% of the sample. Our findings indicate a positive correlation between internet usage and the life satisfaction of spousal caregivers. This result enhances our understanding of the relationship between internet usage and life satisfaction in this context. Furthermore, this study supports the advancement of internet access for the aging population, assists elderly individuals in bridging the digital divide, and provides a theoretical foundation for the development of targeted, elderly-friendly internet policies by the government.

Status quo and factors influencing dyadic disease appraisal in chronic heart failure based on latent profile analysis in Northern Sichuan Province, China

PurposeThis study explored potential categories of dyadic disease appraisal differences among patients hospitalized with chronic heart failure (CHF) in China and analyzed the main factors influencing these categories.MethodsA survey was conducted using various tools and scales, including the Chinese version of the Memorial Heart Failure Symptom Appraisal Scale, Heart failure self-care index scale, Social Support Rating Scale, Zarit burden interview, and Self-rating anxiety scale. The data was collected from patients who were hospitalized with CHF in the cardiology department of one of two tertiary hospitals in Nanchong City, China. The dyadic disease appraisal categories were identified using latent profile analysis (LPA). Multiple logistic regression analysis was also employed to analyze the factors influencing the formation of potential categories of differences in dyadic disease appraisal in CHF patients.ResultsA total of 262 pairs of hospitalized CHF patients and their caregivers participated in this study. The dyadic disease appraisal of CHF patients was potentially categorized as the "negative difference group" (28 individuals, 10.7%) and the "positive or convergence group" (234 persons, 89.3%). The results showed that the factors influencing the categorization of dyadic disease appraisal differences included the patient's social support, disease progression, and Caregivers anxiety level, burden, gender, educational attainment, and age (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe study findings demonstrated heterogeneity between the two groups of CHF patients in the dyadic disease appraisal. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on patients who have a brief duration of illness and limited social support. Specifically, it is important to prioritize support for female caregivers who are 65 years or older, have lower levels of educational attainment, and experience a significant burden and anxiety. Regular implementation of support person-bilateral co-management strategies can effectively reduce differences in how the disease is perceived and enhance the overall well-being of both caregivers and patients.

A - 88 Grandparent Caregivers Interaction with Experiences of Discrimination Effect on Perceptions of Cognitive Control

Abstract Objective This study hypothesized that perceptions of cognitive ability control will differ according to grandparent caregiving status and perceptions of discrimination based on age. Control beliefs mediate the relation between discrimination and executive function. Due to the intersectional nature of grandparents who raise grandchildren and minority statuses compared to non-caregiving grandparents, it is thought that perceptions of age being the main reason of discrimination will differentially affect caregiving grandparents compared to non-caregiving grandparents perceptions of control over cognitive ability. Method Data included 92 caregiving and 407 non-caregiving grandparent participants from the third wave of a longitudinal data collection survey Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS III). MIDUS III included self-administered surveys assessing caregiver status, perceptions of main reasons of discrimination, and perceptions of cognitive control. Result A 2-way ANOVA was performed to analyze the effect of grandparent caregiver status and age discrimination perceptions on perceptions of cognitive ability control. A 2-way ANOVA revealed there was a significant interaction between the effects of grandparent caregiver status and perceptions of aging discrimination (F(1, 498) = 7047, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusions Grandparent caregivers are more likely to have higher perceptions of control over cognitive ability when they do not perceive age as a main reason for discrimination; whereas non-caregiving grandparents have higher perceptions of control over cognitive ability when they do perceive age as a main reason for discrimination. Perceptions of why individuals are discriminated against may interact with personal factors that contribute to perceptions of control in cognitive ability.