Family Caregivers Of Elderly Research Articles

Does Family Caregiver Burden Differ Between Elderly and Younger Caregivers in Supporting Dying Patients With Cancer? An Italian Study.

The aging of the world's population increasingly calls on older people to care for their cancer relatives. This scenario confronts clinicians involved with end-of-life care with an imposing challenge: elderly family caregivers could have a different perception of the burdens associated with assistance compared to their younger counterparts. Palliativists need to know what limits and resources of these new age categories of caregivers could be for a global management of dying patients with cancer and their family. To evaluate the caregiver burden in family caregivers supporting dying patients with cancer in order to compare the differences between 2 different caregivers age groups (younger vs elderly population). This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 174 family caregivers of hospice patients were interviewed through the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). The sample group was divided into 2 subgroups aged <65 (younger group) and ≥65 years old (elderly group). Compared with younger caregivers, the elderly group reported significantly higher scores in the CBI-developmental subscale (P = .009) confirmed by the generalized linear model (multivariate) evaluation that included possible predictors in the model. No further differences were found between the 2 age groups in the other CBI scores (time-dependent, physical, social, emotional, and overall score). Elderly caregivers are at high risk for experiencing developmental burden. This finding could prompt mental health professionals to pay greater attention to the value that assistance to the family member can have on their personal story and on that of the family or couple.

Validation Study: The Iranian Version of Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE) among Family Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia

ABSTRACTSince abuse screening is difficult among the elderly with dementia, detection of elder abuse is a serious issue; meanwhile, the number of available tools to assess elder abuse by caregivers is limited. The aim was to evaluate validity and reliability of the Iranian version Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE) tool. After the translating process of the tool to the Farsi language for 236 dementia participants ≥60 years old and their informal caregivers’ from outpatient’ clinics, in a cross-sectional method then the validity, reliability and factorial structure of the CASE was evaluated. The translated Iranian version CASE reveals a good psychometric property (α = 0.868) with strong internal consistency and reliability. Some variables (depression, burden, dementia intensity, and ADLs) were associated with abuse in dementia elderly. The two-factor structure was obtained in exploratory factor analysis labeled interpersonal abuse and neglect. Generally, the Iranian version of CASE approved with sufficient validity and reliability as a suitable instrument to find the risk of elder abuse among dementia caregivers.

Social Support Polices for the Family Caregiver of the Elderly: Implication of International Experiences for China's Practices

Social Support Polices for the Family Caregiver of the Elderly: Implication of International Experiences for China's Practices

Book Review: The spectrum of family caregiving for adults and elders with chronic illness

Book Review: <i>The spectrum of family caregiving for adults and elders with chronic illness</i>

CareACT - internet-based intervention for enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly caregivers \u2013 a study protocol of a controlled trial

BackgroundThe rapid increase in the number of elderly family caregivers underlines the need for new support systems. Internet-delivered psychological interventions are a potential approach, as they are easy to access for family caregivers who are often homebound with their care recipient. This study examines the relative effectiveness of an internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention or a standardized institutional rehabilitation program, first, in reducing depressive symptoms, and second, in improving the well-being and quality of life of elderly family caregivers compared to a control group receiving support from voluntary family caregiver associations.Methods156 family caregivers aged 60 or more are studied in a quasi-experimental study design that compares three groups of family caregivers (Group 1; n = 65: a guided 12-week web-based intervention; Group 2, n = 52: a standardized institutional rehabilitation program in a rehabilitation center; Group 3, n = 39: support provided by voluntary caregiver associations). Data collection is performed at three time-points: pre-measurement and at 4 months and 10 months thereafter. Caregivers’ depressive symptoms as a primary outcome, and perceived burden, anxiety, quality of life, sense of coherence, psychological flexibility, thought suppression, and personality as secondary outcomes are measured using validated self-report questionnaires. Physical performance and user experiences are also investigated. Between-group differences in the effects of the interventions are examined using multiple-group modeling techniques, and effect-size calculations.DiscussionThe study will compare the effectiveness of a novel web-based program in reducing depressive symptoms and improving the psychological well-being of elderly family caregivers, or a standardized institutional rehabilitation program representing usual care and a control group receiving support offered by voluntary caregiver associations. The results will expand the knowledge base of clinicians and provide evidence on effective strategies to improve the mental health and overall quality of life of elderly family caregivers.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registered in www.clinicaltrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03391596 on January 4, 2018.

The Effects of a Support Program for Family Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia on Empowerment and Attitudes toward Dementia

Purpose: This research was conducted to identify the effects of providing support programs to families of elderly with dementia on family empowerment and attitudes toward dementia. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pre- and post-test design was used. Participants were 49 family caregivers, experimental (24) and control (25), recruited from families through a dementia support center in Y district. This program implemented Haearim, a support program for family caregivers of demented elders developed by the National Institute of Dementia in 2016. Outcome measures were empowerment and attitudes toward to dementia. Data were analyzed with a ${chi}^2-test$, independent t-test, Fisher's exact probability test, paired t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS/PC version 20.0. Results: Family empowerment (F=6.84, p=.002) and family caregivers' attitudes (F=16.48, p&lt;.001) toward dementia in the experimental group improved significantly more than that of the control group after intervention. Conclusion: Results indicate that support programs for families of elderly with dementia are effective in positively changing empowerment and attitudes toward dementia among family caregivers.

The role of caregiver burden in the familial functioning, social support, and quality of family life of family caregivers of elders with dementia.

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the role that caregiver burden plays in the familial functioning, social support, and quality of family life (QOFL) of caregivers of elderly family members with dementia. Methods: A survey was conducted with 200 primary caregivers of elderly dementia patients who resided in prefecture “S”. The questionnaire consisted of items that required demographic information, the Japanese versions of the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES II), and scales that measure quality of family life and social support. On the basis of the median ZBI score (i.e., 30.8), participants were divided into two groups: group A (i.e., ZBI score < 30) and group B (i.e., ZBI score > 30). Stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted with QOFL as the dependent variable. Version 24 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows was used to conduct all the statistical analyses; the statistical significance level was specified as 0.05. Results: Group A and B obtained average ZBI scores of 18.5 and 43.8, respectively. The study targeted 81 patients from group A (average age = 61.0 years) and 77 patients from group B (average age = 61.7 years). Time that was spent on caregiving tasks was significantly higher for group B, when compared to group A. In addition, significant differences in cohesion and adaptability, which are two dimensions that are measured by the FACES II, and QOFL emerged between the two groups. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that cohesion (β = 0.38), practical support (β = 0.32), adaptability (β = 0.30), and living arrangement (β = −0.12) significantly predicted QOFL. Conclusion: Family cohesion and adaptability are indicators of healthy familial functioning. In order to improve the QOFL of caregivers of elderly dementia patients, it is necessary to strengthen emotional ties, maintain emotional attachment, and flexibly respond to the burden of nursing care and changes in power structures and role relationships.

Death attitudes and truth disclosure: A survey of family caregivers of elders with terminal cancer in China.

Although family caregivers play an important role in end-of-life care decisions, few studies have examined the communication between family caregivers and patients at the end of life. The objective was to describe family caregivers' attitudes toward death, hospice, and truth disclosure. A quantitative method was used, and a closed-ended survey of 140 family caregivers was conducted in China. The subjects included 140 primary family caregivers of elders with terminal cancer enrolled at a hospice center from April to August 2017. 140 primary family caregivers of elders with terminal cancer participated the study. A high proportion of cancer patients continue to receive inadequate information about their illness. Family caregivers' inhibitions about disclosing information to cancer patients have not yet been the objects of research in China. This study was reported to and approved by the Regional Ethics Committee in Shenzhen, China. A questionnaire survey collected information on family caregivers' background information, emotional state, personal needs, death attitudes, and truth-disclosure opinions. The results revealed that family caregivers' death attitudes and truth-disclosure opinions played an important role in the process of caring for elders with terminal cancer. By adopting a quantitative method, the author revealed not only the general patterns of family caregivers' attitudes toward cancer diagnosis disclosure but also the reasons for their actions and the practices of family disclosure. The findings suggested that ineffective communication concerning end-of-life issues resulted from family caregivers' lack of discussion and difficulty in hearing the news. Future studies should examine strategies for optimal communication between family caregivers and patients, especially with regard to breaking the bad news. Professional training in breaking bad news is important and is associated with self-reported truth-disclosure practices among family caregivers.

가족을 돌보는 노인의 자기 돌봄 변화과정에 관한 질적 연구

가족을 돌보는 노인의 자기 돌봄 변화과정에 관한 질적 연구

Influence of environmental factors on well-being and care burden of elderly family caregivers: a bayesian structural equation modeling approach

In Japan, the magnitude of the care burden and difficulties with continuity of in-home care among elderly caregivers have been reported, but support systems for elderly family caregivers remain insufficient. This study aimed to test a hypothetic model holding that environmental factors influence elderly family caregivers’ well-being and care burden. Participants were 60 family caregivers of elderly people with care needs who were aged ≥60 years (24 men and 36 women; mean age, 75.7 ± 8.9 years). The study was approved by the Kibi International University Ethical Review Board (No. 17-16). Participants underwent a demographic survey, the Comprehensive Environmental Questionnaire (CEQ), a short version of the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, and the Visual Analogue Scale of Happiness, and the generated hypothetical model was assessed by means of Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling (BSEM). When the hypothetical model was assessed using BSEM, environmental factors were found to influence the well-being more strongly (standardized coefficient [sc] = .406) than the care burden (sc = −.377). Factor loading of environmental factors was largest in family environment, followed by secure living environment, and interactive environment. In addition, the gender of the caregiver also influenced the care burden (sc = −.324) and well-being (sc = −.275). The posterior predictive P -value of the final model was 0.170. This study assessed a hypothetic model holding that environmental factors influence elderly family caregivers’ well-being and care burden, and that the gender of the caregiver is a covariate. Women's care burden was strong, while men's well-being was low. Accordingly, by supporting an interactive environment, a secure living environment, and a family environment as mapped by the CEQ, it may be possible to improve the well-being and mitigate the care burden of elderly family caregivers.

요양시설 입소 노인 가족의 가족참여 : 현상학적 연구

본 연구는 요양시설에 입소한 노인 가족의 가족참여에 대한 현상학적 연구이다. 연구 참여자는 총 11명으로 2016년에 요양시설 노인 가족을 심층 면접함으로 자료 수집이 진행되었다. 모든 면접 자료는 녹음되고 필사되어 자료 분석이 이루어졌다. 자료의 분석은 Colaizzi"s 방법을 사용하였다. 요양시설에서의 가족참여는 3개의 범주와 5개의 주제모음, 14개의 주제로 이루어져 있다. 3개의 핵심 범주에는 ‘버팀목으로 남은 도리 다하기’, ‘생소함에 익숙해지기’, ‘풀리지 않는 악순환의 고리’로 구성되어 있다. 본 연구를 통하여 요양시설 입소 노인 가족의 가족참여에 대한 깊은 이해와 통찰이 가능하였다. 그리고 본 연구 결과를 통하여 요양시설 노인 가족의 특수성이 반영된 도구개발의 기초자료가 되며 요양시설에서 역할을 담당하는데 도움을 제공할 뿐만 아니라 궁극적으로 안녕과 삶의 질에도 긍정적인 영향이 나타날 것으로 기대된다. This study was to explore and describe the experience of family involvement of family caregivers of elders in nursing home. Participants were eleven family caregivers of elders in nursing home. Individual in-depth interviews were used to collect the data in 2016. All interviews were audio-taped and verbatim transcripts were made for the analysis. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi"s phenomenological method. Family involvement in nursing home was organized into three categories, five theme-clusters, and 14 themes. Three essential themes emerged from the analysis ‘do one"s duty as a buttress to the elders’, ‘accustomed to unfamiliarity’, ‘Unbroken vicious circle’. The findings in this study provide deep understanding and insight of family involvement of family caregivers of elders in nursing home. And it should help in the development of interventions tailored specifically of family caregivers in nursing home to support their role adaptation and ultimately improving their well-being and quality of life.

Factors Affecting Family Caregivers' Burden and Depression in Home-based Long-Term Care Service under the Long-Term Care Insurance System

Purpose: This study tried to identify changes in family burden after the introduction of the long-term care insurance and to examine the factors influencing subjective and objective caring burden and depression of family caregivers of elders receiving home-based long-term care. Methods: Data were collected from 203 family caregivers of elders from August 1 to 31, 2015 using questionnaires. They were analyzed in descriptive statistics, t test, ANOVA test, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean score of depression was 7.24, which suggested mild depression level. The subjective family burden was 2.71 and the objective burden 3.04. The factors affecting depression included subjective burden (t=5.08, p<.001), objective burden (t=2.80, p=.006), time of elderly care per day (t=-3.61, p< .001), caregiving duration (t=3.33, p=.001), age (t=3.13, p=.002), family relationship (t=2.48, p=.014), and economic status (t=1.99, p=.047). Conclusion: The family burden was most important influencing factor on caregiver’s depression. Therefore, services and supports to alleviate caregivers’ burden in the home-based care should be added to long-term care.

The Relationship between Caregiving Commitment and the Will to Continue Caregiving for Family Caregiver of Frail Elderly at Home

The Relationship between Caregiving Commitment and the Will to Continue Caregiving for Family Caregiver of Frail Elderly at Home

The spectrum of family caregiving for adults and elders with chronic illness

The spectrum of family caregiving for adults and elders with chronic illness

Attitudes and Opinions of Elderly Patients and Family Caregivers on End-of-Life Care Discussion

Attitudes and Opinions of Elderly Patients and Family Caregivers on End-of-Life Care Discussion

What Did Latino Family Caregivers Expect and Learn From Education Intervention "Caregivers Like Me"?

US Latinos historically have underutilized end-of-life (EOL) resources. This study reports the views of family caregivers before and after education intervention Caregivers Like Me geared to improve knowledge and attitudes regarding EOL resources among Latino caregivers. This is a qualitative substudy within a multicentered cross-sectional study design. Educational intervention was offered to family caregivers of Latino elders from 3 different communities, using an audiovisual presentation, including a case-based video telenovela and pre-posttest questionnaires with open-ended questions. This study pertains to the qualitative results for the open-ended questions before and after education intervention. Participants (N = 145) were mostly females (79%) with a mean age of 56 ± 15 years and reported (92%) active learning from intervention. The pretest open-ended question on expected learning identified 2 themes, care for the sick and self-care. It included 5 subthemes and the most common one was how to help the sick. The posttest question on actual learning identified the same 2 themes and 4 subthemes that were similar but different from the pretest. Accepting help and knowledge of services available were the most common. The education intervention Caregivers Like Me was able to improve attitudes toward EOL care because participants who wanted to help their loved ones realized that they need to accept professional help and were made aware of the services available.

Study on correlation between elder abuse tendency and psychological resilience of family caregivers of the elderly with chronic diseases

Objective To probe into the status and correlation between elder abuse tendency and psychological resilience of family caregivers of the elderly with chronic diseases. Methods Totally 402 family caregivers of the elderly with chronic diseases were investigated by the Chinese version of Caregiver Abuse Screening and Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale. Then the results underwent statistical analysis. Results Nearly 63.68% (256/402) family caregivers had the risk of elder abuse tendency. The median of family caregivers′ resilience score was 53, lower than normal population (Z=-10.106, P=0.000) , and was significantly negatively correlated with elder abuse tendency (r=-0.480, P=0.000) .And caregivers′ high level of resilience was a protective factors for elder abuse tendency. Conclusions Nurses should motivate the family caregivers of the elderly with chronic diseases to adapt successfully when faced stress which could be associated with resilience. Thus the psychological resilience would play a role of protective effect against elder abuse tendency, with the purpose of reducing the risk for abusing the elderly who suffered from chronic diseases. Key words: Resilience; The elderly with chronic diseases; Family caregiver; Elder abuse tendency

Signs of Exacerbation of Heart Failure Detected by Family Caregivers of the Heart Failure Elderly with Dementia

Signs of Exacerbation of Heart Failure Detected by Family Caregivers of the Heart Failure Elderly with Dementia

Indicators of the Process of Transition to the Exercise of Family Caregivers of Elderly with Parkinson's Disease: A Qualitative Study

The objective was to study the indicators of the process of transition of family caregivers and the influence of this in the care for elderly with Parkinson's disease in the family context. This study is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative conducted with 20 family caregivers of older adults with Parkinson's disease. The results revealed that, at the passage of exit from transition, family caregivers show integration of the routine of care in their personal life, acceptance of the health state of their relative through positive view of the disease, as well as they use strategies to acquire skills related to care for elderly with Parkinson's and they recognize in themselves the identity of family caregivers. Interventions are needed to identify the specific concerns of family members to strengthen and facilitate the process of transition to exercise the role of caregiver, in face of the various changes in routine that Parkinson's raises.

The Effect of Problem Oriented Coping Strategies Training on Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Elderly with Alzheimer

Introduction: Elderly with Alzheimer requires care to continue their lives and such care is given mostly by families. Care of elderly with Alzheimer is a stressful process and it has negative consequences on physical and mental health of caregivers and reduces their quality of life. The present research aims to determine the effect of problem oriented coping strategies training on quality of life of family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer. Material and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial 72 caregivers were chosen by purposeful sampling and were divided randomly into control and experimental groups. Before the intervention, participants' quality of life was assessed by SF36 quality of life questionnaire. Eight sessions of educational intervention were held for the experimental group. The educational contents were included subjects such as problem solving, anger management and making an affective relationship. Two weeks after the intervention, information was recollected. Results: Finding indicated that in intervention group, caregivers' quality of life significantly increased after the educational intervention (P=0.001). After the intervention, caregivers' quality of life in experimental group was more than control group but such difference was not statistically significant (P=0.112). Conclusion: Problem-oriented coping strategies training can enhance most dimensions of quality of life of caregivers and such education can be effective on their lives.