Family Caregivers Of Elderly Patients Research Articles

Homebound elderly with dementia and their family caregivers: Examining the situation in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan before COVID-19

This study aimed to clarify the status of problematic behaviors among elderly patients with dementia at home and the associated burden on their family caregivers in Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 563 family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia living at home in these three regions. Information regarding their demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, education level, income, marital status, and family status, was obtained. The Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist, a 24-item scale for assessing problem behaviors, and the Zarit Burden Interview, a 22-item scale for measuring caregiver burden, were used alongside other relevant scales. The findings indicated that the majority of family caregivers were female and in their 60s across all three regions, while elderly patients with dementia were mostly female and living alone in their 80s. In addition, a significant proportion of these patients had comorbidities such as diabetes and other health conditions. In Japan, although the patients exhibited relatively intact physical function and a low degree of dementia, the caregivers experienced high-stress levels. The demographic profiles of family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia at home in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan were remarkably similar, particularly in terms of age and gender distribution. Furthermore, marital and employment statuses were comparable between Hong Kong and Singapore. While the previous studies have taken a broad view of Asia, focusing on Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan in particular has facilitated the identification of clues for developing targeted countermeasures.

Proches aidants et médicaments : quels besoins en officine ?

Addressing needs of family caregivers of elderly subjects is a major public health issue today, due to population aging and the increase in loss of autonomy. Family caregivers of elderly patients are widely involved in the care process, but there is little data on their needs regarding their involvement in drug management. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of family caregivers expressing a need for assistance with medication management and to describe the main problems they encounter.Forty-two caregivers of patient(s) over 60 years of age were included at two community pharmacies. Their needs were collected using a form developed for this study. Nearly half of the caregivers (n = 19; 45.2%) expressed a need for help. The main problems encountered included managing medical appointments, managing the stock of medication and planning medication intake. The pharmacist is well placed to help caregivers with the difficulties they encounter in the area of medication, but also to offer them support and active listening, due to his accessibility and his position in the care pathway.

Care needs of caregivers of the elderly with early-stage dementia.

This study aimed to identify the care needs of family caregivers of elderly patients with early-stage dementia and examine support measures. We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey with 115 primary caregivers of outpatients who visited A City Community General Support Center or B University Hospital Department of Neurology for memory loss consultation. The questionnaire content included demographic characteristics, the care needs scale for caregivers of the elderly with early-stage dementia (Care Needs Scale), and the Japanese short version of the Zarit Burden Interview. The Medical Ethics Committee of Fukuoka University approved this study (approval number: M047). Of the 115 participants, 104 were included in the analysis after excluding 11 respondents with missing data. We divided the participants into a young group (under 65 years of age) and an old group (65 years of age or older) and compared the variables and each scale score using the Mann-Whitney U test. We also compared the correlations between the total score and subscale scores of the Care Needs Scale and each variable, in addition, we performed multiple regression analyses using the total score of the Care Needs Scale as the dependent variable. The young caregivers wanted to know how to take care, prevent deterioration, and deal with symptoms of early-stage dementia. They were trying to balance caregiving with work and housekeeping and reduce the stress and burden of long-term care. Older caregivers were confused about caregiving and wanted someone to talk about their situations. Both groups shared that the family's lack of understanding about caregiving and personal and role strains were associated with the care needs of caregivers of the elderly with early-stage dementia.

Factors influencing support provision to the family caregivers of elderly patients with cancer: A qualitative study

PurposeFamily caregivers (FCs) play a significant role in providing care to elderly patients with cancer (PWC). Meanwhile, they face a wide range of challenges and are considered hidden patients who require special attention and support. Nonetheless, they do not receive adequate support. This study aimed at exploring the factors influencing support provision to the FCs of elderly PWC. MethodThis descriptive qualitative study was conducted in 2020–2022. Thirty-one FCs and family members of elderly PWC and healthcare providers were purposefully recruited from various healthcare centers in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's conventional content analysis approach. Trustworthiness was ensured through Lincoln and Guba's criteria. ResultsFactors influencing support provision to the FCs of elderly PWC came into three main categories, namely the potential for supporting elderly PWC and FCs, complexity of family and social support, and support-related challenges of the healthcare system. ConclusionsIdentifying the factors influencing support provision to the FCs of elderly PWC can assist healthcare policymakers and authorities in developing more effective strategies to support these groups.

Factors Associated with Medication Adherence in Elderly Individuals with Tuberculosis: A Qualitative Study.

This qualitative study was conducted in two phases, using an integrative literature review and individual interviews. Studies were gathered without time restriction from MEDLINE databases, Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Google Scholar, Scopus, and EMBASE, as well as national databases, including Scientific Information Database and Magiran. The findings of 38 studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed through the conventional content analysis method based on the ecological approach. After reviewing and forming the data matrix, purposive sampling was performed among healthcare professionals, elderly tuberculosis patients aged 60 and over, and family caregivers of elderly patients to conduct individual interviews. Data obtained from 20 interviews were analyzed using the directed content analysis method. After coding, the data from individual interviews were entered based on similarity and difference in the categories of data matrix obtained from the literature review. In general, the aforementioned codes were placed in four main categories, including individual factors (i.e., biological factors, affective-emotional factors, behavioral factors, cognitive factors, tuberculosis-related factors, and economic factors), interpersonal factors (i.e., patient's relationship with treatment team and family-related factors), factors related to healthcare service provider centers (i.e., medical centers' facilities and capacity building in healthcare service provider), and extraorganizational factors (i.e., social factors and health policymaking). The results of this study showed that medication adherence in elderly patients with tuberculosis was a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. Therefore, society, policymakers, and healthcare providers should scrutinize the factors affecting medication adherence in this group of patients to plan and implement more effective interventions.

Correlation Between the Frailty of Elderly Patients on Regular Haemodialysis and the Quality of Life of Their Family Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the frailty status of elderly patients on regular haemodialysis and the quality of life of their family caregivers.Methods90 elderly patients with regular haemodialysis and 90 family caregivers of the respective patients were selected from January 2020 to April 2021. The influencing factors of the caregivers’ quality of life and correlation between patient debility and caregiver quality of life were analyzed by general information questionnaire, Tilburg debility index scale, self-care ability scale, family caregiver-related quality-of-life scale and social support scale.ResultsThe quality of life of the family caregivers of elderly patients on regular haemodialysis is at the medium level (4.50 ± 2.96). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis shows that the ability of patients to take care of themselves, the degree of patients’ weaknesses, whether they care for non-dialysis patients, the time to care for patients, social support and the type of current residence have significant impacts on the quality of life of the caregivers (p < 0.001). Variance analysis showed that the fitting degree of linear regression equation is relatively high, and the regression equation is significant (F = 9.195, p < 0.001, R = 0.595, R2 = 0.315). The quality of life of caregivers is positively correlated with the ability of the patients to take care of themselves, the length of care, social support and type of current residence (p < 0.05). The degree of weakness in patients is negatively correlated with taking care of non-regular dialysis patients (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe ability of patients to take care of themselves, the degree of weakness of the patients, social support and the type of current residence are the influencing factors of the burden on the family caregivers of maintenance haemodialysis patients.

Cuidado de enfermería en la prevención de úlceras por presión en adultos mayores del servicio de medicina interna de un hospital local, Chiclayo 2019

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Objetivo: Describir y analizar los cuidados de enfermería en la prevención de úlceras por presión en adultos mayores del servicio de medicina interna de un hospital local. Método: Investigación cualitativa con abordaje metodológico estudio de caso. Los sujetos de estudio estuvieron conformados por 24 participantes (12 profesionales de enfermería y 12 familiares cuidadores de los pacientes adultos mayores), los que cumplieron criterios de selección; el tamaño de la muestra fue determinada por criterios de saturación y redundancia, el muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Para la obtención de datos se aplicó la entrevista semiestructurada, elaborada por la investigadora y validada por un juicio de expertos, teniendo en cuenta criterios de rigor científico y principios éticos. Resultados principales: Se obtuvieron tres categorías: A) Cuidados preventivos de úlceras por presión: cambios de posiciones, cuidados de la piel, masajes, medidas de apoyo B) Educación al familiar cuidador para su colaboración en la prevención de úlceras por presión C) Reutilización de insumos ante las limitaciones para la prevención de úlceras por presión. Conclusión general: El profesional de enfermería reconoce la importancia sobre las medidas de prevención y la ejecución de estas, ya que son las únicas herramientas del personal para evitar la aparición de ulceras por presión. Considerar el trabajo en equipo con el personal técnico y el familiar cuidador, quienes realizan cambios de posición, masajes, y medidas de apoyo, nos hace referencia a la carencia de herramientas que son necesarias en un determinado servicio y por consiguiente indispensables para brindar un cuidado de calidad.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Preparation of the Japanese Version of the Diabetes Caregiver Activity and Support Scale and Verification of Its Reliability and Validity.

The purpose of the study was to adapt and psychometrically evaluate a Japanese language version of the Diabetes Caregiver Activity and Support Scale (D-CASS-J) to be culturally relevant for people with diabetes living in Japan. A Japanese translation of the original version of the D-CASS was prepared, corrected, and back-translated. Family caregivers of patients with diabetes mellitus ages ≥65 years who visited the outpatient diabetes clinic of Ise Red Cross Hospital were included. Cronbach's α coefficients were calculated as an assessment of internal consistency. Exploratory factor analyses were performed to verify construct validity. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed using depression as the dependent variable and D-CASS-J and other variables as explanatory variables. Pearson's correlation coefficients between D-CASS-J scores and the support burden scale scores were calculated to verify criterion-related validity. This analysis included 268 subjects. Cronbach's α coefficient was .86. Factor analyses showed the same single-factor structure as the original version of the D-CASS. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses based on the conceptual model demonstrated construct validity. D-CASS-J scores were significantly correlated with support burden scale scores. For family caregivers of elderly patients with diabetes in Japan, D-CASS-J can be used as a tool to evaluate difficulties experienced while providing support to patients.

Factors associated with the burden of family caregivers of elderly patients with femoral neck fracture: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study aimed to study the factors associated with caregiver burden among caregivers of elderly patients with femoral neck fracture.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on a non-probabilistic sampling of 183 elderly postoperative patients (aged 65 years or older) with femoral neck fracture who were hospitalized in the orthopedic center in our hospital and their family caregivers. Data were collected from January 2016 to June 2019. Patients and family caregivers completed the sociodemographic questionnaire. The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), and the Chinese version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) were used to evaluate social support, self-efficacy, and caregiver burden, respectively. By analyzing the clinical data of patients and family caregivers and combining the factors that affect the caregiver burden in parallel studies, we selected the factors that affected the caregiver burden in this study and conducted a multivariate analysis of these factors. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsWe observed 176 caregivers aged 69.28 ± 7.19 years old, among whom 52.3% were male, 58.0% lived in the city, 84.0% were spouses of the patients, and 67.0% had a primary school educational background. The ZBI score of the family caregivers was 37.8 ± 8.9, and 82.7% of the caregivers were under a moderate to severe burden. The patient’s functional status, Harris score, and pain score and the caregiver’s SSRS scores, GSE scores, and the ratio of medical expenses to monthly income per capita were factors that affected the caregiver burden.ConclusionsMost family caregivers of elderly patients with femoral neck fracture are subject to a considerable care burden, and social support and self-efficacy intervention are conducive to reducing the caregiver burden.

The Relationship between Health-Related Quality of Life and Burden among Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Saudi Arabia

The Relationship between Health-Related Quality of Life and Burden among Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Saudi Arabia

Factors related to the burden of family caregivers of elderly patients with spinal Tumours in Northwest China

BackgroundFamily caregivers of elderly patients with spinal tumours experience considerable pain and burden during the care process. This study aims to investigate the factors associated with caregiver burden in family caregivers of elderly patients with spinal tumours.MethodsA total of 220 elderly patients with spinal tumours (age ≥ 65 years) hospitalized at the spine centre of our hospital from January 2015 to December 2017 and their family caregivers were recruited for this cross-sectional study. All participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire. Caregiver burden, social support and self-efficacy were assessed by the Chinese version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), respectively. The factors related to caregiver burden were analysed by multivariate analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe 216 elderly patients with spinal tumours were 71.59 ± 8.49 years old, and their caregivers were 70.46 ± 9.13 years old. A total of 170 patients were cared for by their spouses, who accounted for 78.7% of all caregivers. The ZBI score for the family caregivers was 35.5 ± 7.5, and most caregivers (84.5%) reported a moderate or heavy burden. The factors related to caregiver burden included patient paralysis, the primary cancer site, chemotherapy and/or radiation, cognitive dysfunction, functional status, monthly income, pain score, caregivers’ SSRS score, and GSE score.ConclusionsMost family caregivers of elderly patients with spinal tumours have a considerable caregiver burden. Interventions based on social support and self-efficacy can help reduce caregiver burden.

Effectiveness of Resilience Education in the Mental Health of Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Continuing care of an elderly patient with Alzheimer’s disease may result in psychosocial and physical disorders in family caregivers, as well as limitations to providing complete care. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of resilience education in the mental health of family caregivers of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: This study followed a randomized, clinical trial design. The study population consisted of family caregivers of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease who referred to hospitals and neurologists’ offices located in the western cities of Mazandaran province, Iran. Data were collected between 2016 and 2017. Fifty-four family caregivers were recruited through convenience sampling and randomized into control and intervention groups (27 in each group). Demographic characteristics, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and General Health Questionnaire were used for data collection. Resilience education was provided in eight sessions (45 min each) using PowerPoint presentations and educational pamphlets. The mental health scores were calculated using the indices including normality tests and analyzed using the independent and paired t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Bonferroni test. Results: An independent t-test showed improvements in the mental health status of those who received the educational intervention (mean difference: 23.8 ± 6.4; P < 0.001). The independent t-test also indicated statistically significant differences between the groups’ anxiety/insomnia (8.8 ± 2.3 versus -0.12 ± 2.5), somatic symptoms (7.2 ± 2.2 versus -0.9 ± 1.03), social dysfunction (4.5 ± 2.9 versus 0.2 ± 1.3), and depression (3.2 ± 2.2 versus -0.08 ± 0.6; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Resilience education successfully improved the mental health of family caregivers. Therefore, it is suggested that healthcare providers, Alzheimer’s associations, and NGOs provide educational interventions to help promote the caregivers’ mental health.

Status quo of burden on family caregivers of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its influencing factors

Objective To explore burden on family caregivers of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to discuss the influencing factors of caregiver burden. Methods Totally 190 family caregivers of elderly COPD patients treated in a Class III Grade A hospital in a city between January and December 2017 were selected by convenient sampling. The caregiver burden of these elderly COPD patients were investigated with the general information questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) . Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors to caregiver burden. Results The total score of caregiver burden of elderly COPD patients was (52.32±7.42) , and the total score of social support was (25.23±5.93) . Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, occupation, time of daily care, medical service availability and social support were the main influencing factors to caregiver burden (P<0.05) . Conclusions The caregiver burden of elderly COPD patients is at a medium level and is affected by multiple factors. More disease and nursing care related knowledge and information should be provided to the caregivers based on their actual conditions so as to improve the social support for caregivers as well as the caregivers' physiological and mental health and their quality of life. Key words: Aged; Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Family caregivers; Burden; Influencing factors

End-of-life care of elderly patients with dementia: A cross-sectional study of family carer decision-making

BackgroundDementia syndromes pose a major worldwide challenge to public health. In terminal stage of dementia, carers are responsible for decision making in end-of-life treatment and there may be multiple factors that contribute to the choice of a palliative or invasive treatment. AimTo identify possible factors that influence the decision-making of family caregivers on implementing invasive or palliative interventions for people with end stage dementia. DesignA structured interview with family caregivers of elderly patients addressing aspects of the following categories: elderly with dementia, caregiver, medical treatment history. Statistical analysis was performed to test whether there was a significant association between the carer's decision (invasive or palliative treatment) and the collected variables. Settingand participantsThe study was conducted in three hospitals in Brazil. Participants were family caregivers of inpatients with end stage dementia ResultsMost of caregivers chose not to perform invasive procedures. The factors with the greatest association with the decision for invasive care were: elderly with tracheostomy, dementia diagnosis for less than 2 years, caregiver's age less than 50 years, history of hospital admission in the last year, affirmation that interviewee would be surprised with the death of the elderly within 1year and the denial that health care team has already explained about treatment options. ConclusionThere were identified several factors related to the carer, the elderly person and their medical treatment that may influence the choice between palliative and invasive care for the elderly person with dementia.

Burden of Care, Mental Health and Subjective Well Being of Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients

This study is aimed at identifying how the burden ofcare of theelderly patientssuffering from dementia and physical disabilities is related to mental health and subjective well-beingof the family caregivers. In this study, survey research design was usedand data were collectedthrough convenient sampling from 100 caregivers of elderly patients with dementia(n = 50)and physical disability(n = 50).Four tools were used; The Caregiver Strain Index (Robinson&amp; Price, 1982); General Health Questionnaire(Goldberg,1978); and The Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirskyand Lapper, 1999).Correlation and t-test were carried out and findings showeda significantnegative correlation between burden of care and the caregiver’s quality of life. The caregivers of dementia patientsshowed a significant decline in their mental health as compared to the caregivers of patients with physical disability;however both the groups did not show any significant difference in terms of burden of care. Significant gender differences were noted interms of depression. Further results indicatedthat the caregiver’s education and occupation were significant predictors of burden of care. The importance of the study lies in the fact that the findings will be highly valuable in gaining insight into the psychological problems experienced by the family caregivers in Pakistan.

CARE OF THE ELDERLY WITH ALZHEIMER'S FAMILY CAREGIVER: A UNIVERSITY EXTENSION ACTIVITY

ABSTRACT An academic experience report of the university extension project: Mutual Help Group for Relatives of Elderly Living with Alzheimer's or Related Diseases. Alzheimer's is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which is part of the group of dementias, being characterized by the deterioration of the mental functions resulting in cognitive impairment. Therefore, the family caregivers of elderly patients with Alzheimer's needs care and guidance to promote management and care for themselves and for the patients. It is important to involve health professionals in this scenario, especially nurses, acting directly in the health education process. Thus, the academic involvement in the extension project enriches the college education based on the contact with a certain community and, in this context, provides for further interaction with the complexity involving families and elderly people with Alzheimer's.

Effects of Burden and Family Resilience on the Family Adaptation of Family Caregivers of Elderly with Dementia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of burden, family resilience and adaptation of caregivers of elderly patients with dementia, and further to identify factors influencing their adaptation. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed. Data were collected from questionnaires distributed to 131 family caregivers of elderly patients who visited at the Centers for Dementia in Seoul during 2012~2013. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The average age of the care giving subjects was 63.58, and 31.3% were male, and 41.2% were the spouses. Statistically significant relationships were found between burden and adaptation (r=-.38, p<.001), and between family resilience and adaptation (r=.52, p<.001), and between burden and family resilience (r=-.35, p=.001). Thirty percent of adaptation was explained by burden and family resilience. The most influencing factor to adaptation was family resilience which explained about 27% of the variance. Conclusion: The results of the study clearly indicate that family resilience explains better than burden on adaptation of family caregivers. Thus, to develop more effective nursing intervention for family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia, it would be necessary to integrate family resilience in the programs. 27% is not that much and I wonder if we have to do more work to identify the factors that influence care giving.

Cuidador familiar do idoso em cuidados paliativos: o processo de morrer no domicílio

This study sought to identify and analyze the significance of the process of dying for family caregivers of elderly patients in palliative care. It involved qualitative research with the use of interviews. The data were scrutinized by content analysis. The presence of chronic diseases that lead the elderly patient to require palliative care imposes a series of complex and ambivalent feelings on the family caregiver. The proximity and inevitability of death of the elderly patient exacerbate these feelings, but also lead the caregiver to reconsider how to handle this experience. Given this complexity, it becomes clear that the palliative tem need to work with family caregivers, to try to alleviate this situation.

Factors Influencing the Burden Felt by Main Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients with Brain and Spinal Diseases

Purpose: This study of this study was to identify factors influencing the burden of main family caregivers who take care of elderly patients with brain and spinal diseases. Methods: This was conducted as descriptive research and data were collected from 255 main family caregivers who were taking care of elderly patients with brain and spinal diseases from 4 hospitals in Daegu and Gyeongbuk Province. Stepwise-multiple regression was used to identify the influencing factors of burden felt. Results: As the score of burden felt by the main family, economic, social, physical, interdependent and emotional burdens were high in order. Factors influencing burden felt by main family care givers taking care of elderly patients with brain and spinal diseases were changed relation with patient after hospitalization, daily life ability, marital status, education and family caregiver’s personality (explanatory power of 24.6%). Family caregivers felt a heavier burden when their relation with the patient was changed negatively or when the patient’s activity of daily living was low. Conclusion: Based on these results, we need to develop coping measures and interventional programs for reducing the burden felt by the main family caregivers of elderly patients with brain and spinal diseases.

Activities of Daily Living of The Elderly with a Chronic Disease and Burden on Family Care-givers

The purpose of this study was to help families decrease and alleviate the burden on family care-givers taking care of elderly patients. Data was collected by a questionnaire from 100 family members who were registered in the department of home health care nursing at 4 hospitals of H University Medical Center from September 20 to October 25, 2005. The collected data was analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, t-test and One-Way ANOVA with the Duncan's test, and Stepwise multiple regression. The average burden on family care-givers of elderly patients with chronic diseases was 3.31. The social burden was the highest(M=3.68), the lowest was the emotional burden (M=2.95). In ADL of elderly patients with chronic diseases, all 10 questions showed an average point above 2.50. The dependency level of going up and down the stairs was the highest (M=2.88). This research is necessary for the application of a plan in the social support system in order to reduce the burden on family care-givers who are taking care of elderly patients with a chronic disease.