Family Caregivers Of Elderly Patients Research Articles

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.

Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients on Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis

Despite the growing number of elderly patients with end-stage renal disease who need support, there are few studies about their caregivers. The objective of this study is to describe caregivers' characteristics and evaluate their burden and quality of life. We studied caregivers of elderly patients (>or=65 years) on hemodialysis (HD) therapy (n = 84), on peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy (n = 40), and a group of caregivers (n = 77) of nonelderly HD patients. Their quality of life was evaluated by using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire, Caregiver Burden scale, and Cognitive Index of Depression. Most caregivers of the elderly were women (78%) aged 55 +/- 15 years and sons or daughters (41%) or wives or husbands (50%) of patients. Caregivers' Emotional Aspect, Vitality, and Mental Health were the most affected dimensions. The Mental Component Summary mean score, adjusted for patient race, educational level, primary diagnosis, hematocrit, comorbidities, and physical functional status, was worse for caregivers of PD than HD elderly patients (36.3 +/- 1.9 versus 44.8 +/- 1.5; P < 0.01). The most affected Caregiver Burden scale dimensions were General Strain and Environment. Thirty-two percent of caregivers showed signs of depression. Caregivers of elderly dialysis patients, especially of those on PD therapy, experience a significant burden and adverse effects on their quality of life. Educational, social, and psychological support interventions should be considered to improve the quality of life of caregivers.

Research About Family Caregivers Becoming More Urgent

It is encouraging to see research being done in the area of family caregiving, such as Sara Meller's recent article. 1 Meller S A comparison of the well-being of family caregivers of elderly patients hospitalized with physical impairments versus the caregivers of patients hospitalized with dementia. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2001; 2: 60-65 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (13) Google Scholar As the population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, stroke, hip fractures and other chronic medical conditions becomes greater. According to a study conducted by the US General Accounting Office in 1994, it is estimated that the number of older persons needing long-term care may as much as double over the next 25 years. 2 US General Accounting Office Long-term care: Diverse, growing population includes millions of Americans of all ages. US General Accounting Office, Washington, DCNovember 7, 1994 Google Scholar

A Comparison of the Well-Being of Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients Hospitalized With Physical Impairments Versus the Caregivers of Patients Hospitalized With Dementia

This study investigated the differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with dementia and the well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with physical impairments. It also explored the relationships between social roles, religious faith, and well-being. Two groups were constructed to compare caregivers' well-being levels: caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. The groups were caregivers of patients of two geriatric hospitals in central Israel. Patients were categorized by their medical files according to their medical diagnosis. A total of 107 caregivers participated in this research. Of that number, 46% were caregivers of patients with physical impairments while the other 54% were caregivers of patients with dementia. The patients with physical impairments suffered from stroke, hip fractures, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and heart and lung diseases. The patients with dementia suffered from Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Of the total number of patients, 67% were males and 33% were females. The caregivers were asked to fill out a questionnaire that included 90 questions. Some of the questionnaires were given to the caregivers to be filled out at home. The questionnaire integrated three subcategories: well-being, identity accumulation, and religious faith. Differences were found only in the dimensions of social activity. Caregivers of the patients with physical impairments were found to attend synagogues and clubs more than caregivers of the patients with dementia did. The number of the caregivers' social roles were found to have been significantly related to caregivers' mental health. A negative correlation was found between the intensity of religious faith and the level of the caregivers' spouses' self-rated physical and mental health: those of stronger faith rated their physical health lower and were reported to have more symptoms of stress. There are no significant differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. Both groups of caregivers are at great risk of compromised physical and mental health, of decreased social activity, and of financial distresses. Various social roles and religious faith may enhance the caregiver's well-being. However, the spouse's religious faith has negative effects on their own well-being. These results call for welfare services and religious organizations to form support groups for family caregivers. They also make clear that all caregivers should benefit from the same social support if their older relatives are hospitalized.

A Comparison of the Well-Being of Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients Hospitalized With Physical Impairments Versus the Caregivers of Patients Hospitalized With Dementia

Objectives This study investigated the differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with dementia and the well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with physical impairments. It also explored the relationships between social roles, religious faith, and well-being. Setting Two groups were constructed to compare caregivers' well-being levels: caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. The groups were caregivers of patients of two geriatric hospitals in central Israel. Patients were categorized by their medical files according to their medical diagnosis. Participants A total of 107 caregivers participated in this research. Of that number, 46% were caregivers of patients with physical impairments while the other 54% were caregivers of patients with dementia. The patients with physical impairments suffered from stroke, hip fractures, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and heart and lung diseases. The patients with dementia suffered from Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Of the total number of patients, 67% were males and 33% were females. Intervention The caregivers were asked to fill out a questionnaire that included 90 questions. Some of the questionnaires were given to the caregivers to be filled out at home. Measurements The questionnaire integrated three subcategories: well-being, identity accumulation, and religious faith. Results Differences were found only in the dimensions of social activity. Caregivers of the patients with physical impairments were found to attend synagogues and clubs more than caregivers of the patients with dementia did. The number of the caregivers' social roles were found to have been significantly related to caregivers' mental health. A negative correlation was found between the intensity of religious faith and the level of the caregivers' spouses' self-rated physical and mental health: those of stronger faith rated their physical health lower and were reported to have more symptoms of stress. Conclusion There are no significant differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. Both groups of caregivers are at great risk of compromised physical and mental health, of decreased social activity, and of financial distresses. Various social roles and religious faith may enhance the caregiver's well-being. However, the spouse's religious faith has negative effects on their own well-being. These results call for welfare services and religious organizations to form support groups for family caregivers. They also make clear that all caregivers should benefit from the same social support if their older relatives are hospitalized. This study investigated the differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with dementia and the well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with physical impairments. It also explored the relationships between social roles, religious faith, and well-being. Two groups were constructed to compare caregivers' well-being levels: caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. The groups were caregivers of patients of two geriatric hospitals in central Israel. Patients were categorized by their medical files according to their medical diagnosis. A total of 107 caregivers participated in this research. Of that number, 46% were caregivers of patients with physical impairments while the other 54% were caregivers of patients with dementia. The patients with physical impairments suffered from stroke, hip fractures, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and heart and lung diseases. The patients with dementia suffered from Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Of the total number of patients, 67% were males and 33% were females. The caregivers were asked to fill out a questionnaire that included 90 questions. Some of the questionnaires were given to the caregivers to be filled out at home. The questionnaire integrated three subcategories: well-being, identity accumulation, and religious faith. Differences were found only in the dimensions of social activity. Caregivers of the patients with physical impairments were found to attend synagogues and clubs more than caregivers of the patients with dementia did. The number of the caregivers' social roles were found to have been significantly related to caregivers' mental health. A negative correlation was found between the intensity of religious faith and the level of the caregivers' spouses' self-rated physical and mental health: those of stronger faith rated their physical health lower and were reported to have more symptoms of stress. There are no significant differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. Both groups of caregivers are at great risk of compromised physical and mental health, of decreased social activity, and of financial distresses. Various social roles and religious faith may enhance the caregiver's well-being. However, the spouse's religious faith has negative effects on their own well-being. These results call for welfare services and religious organizations to form support groups for family caregivers. They also make clear that all caregivers should benefit from the same social support if their older relatives are hospitalized.

Use of physician services among family caregivers of elderly persons with dementia

It is well known that there is an excess of physical and psychological health problems among family caregivers of elderly persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. The objective of this study was to determine whether the higher level of morbidity translates into a higher level of medical care utilization. Data from a previously completed longitudinal study of caregivers for elderly persons with dementia were merged with data on physician visits obtained from the computerized records of the Quebec Health Insurance Board. Utilization of physician care (adjusted for age, sex, number of chronic diseases, and depression) was no higher for family caregivers of elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias than for comparable family members of older persons without dementia. The annual cost of physician care was almost identical among caregivers and noncaregivers. However, the pattern of utilization for the two groups was somewhat different: there was a significantly higher frequency of physician utilization among caregivers for services billed by psychiatrists and internal medicine specialists. In multivariate analysis, physician utilization was significantly associated with having more than one chronic condition and with increased age. Future studies should focus on determining whether caregivers neglect their own health care needs as a result of the exigencies of the caregiving role.

Family Caregiver Appraisals of Patient Behavioral Disturbance in Senile Dementia

In the present study, 44 primary family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia were interviewed concerning the prevalence of 31 specific behavioral problems in the home setting, the subjective stressfulness of each problem, and caregivers' perceived self-efficacy in managing each problem. Results indicate that, although self-care deficits and disorientation are extremely common, they are of less concern to caregivers than a number of prevalent and highly stressful behavioral problems such as agitation, hallucinations, and dangerous or embarrassing behaviors. These specific behavioral problems deserve greater attention in the management of dementia patients who live in community settings.