Alzheimer's disease: the care givers' concerns, knowledge, coping ability and views of a support system

Alzheimer's disease affects the aged population worldwide. Initially it was considered rare and was believed to occur in people under 60, now research findings indicate that it is seen mostly in the older population. The incidence increases further with age; approximately 20 percent are aged over 80 years. It is a leading cause of death in the United States and studies indicate that up to 50 percent of nursing home population is afflicted with Alzheimer's disease although many may not have been diagnosed. Patients will need constant help when they develop cognitive, physical, emotional or social disabilities. The care-giving role can be demanding and the ability of public health practitioners and community groups to offer support can help to create a positive emotional climate for caregivers. This study was carried out in the Kingston and St. Andrew parishes of Jamaica during the period January to April 1995. Information collected examined Alzheimer's disease and the knowledge and attitude of caregivers. Caregivers identified were family doctors, registered nurses, practical nurses, a house mother, domestic helpers and family members. Findings revealed Alzheimer's disease was more common over age 60. The incidence is higher in females, and the disease knows no socio-economic boundary. Main caregivers are health workers and the majority of patients are cared for in nursing homes. Major fears of doctors was the patients hyperactivity, while for nurse managers it was the increase stress for the caregiver, and communication difficulties the patient may experience. Families are concerned about finding a cure and the safety of the patient. Caregivers were not found to be unduly stressed but there was a knowledge gap about the disease. All categories of caregivers identified the need for support systems. The primary function for an Alzheimer's disease association as seen by the caregivers would be education of all persons. (AU)

Factors influencing institutionalisation of the elderly in St. Andrew

"The Graying of The World", a phenomenon of great significance in this decade creates food for thought and action as countries the world over plan for their elderly populations. The need for appropriate arrangements for the elderly in Jamaica is an issue of concern as this population continues to increase. The elderly generally dislike institutionalisation and it is felt, are best cared for within the family home when possible. A comparative study of the elderly in nursing homes and the community was conducted to determine the existence of an association between certain sociodemographic, socioeconomic and psychosocial variables and institutionalisation of the elderly. The results though based on statistical evaluation of a small sample of the population indicate an association between these variables and institutionalisation of the elderly. These findings indicate that more needs to be done at a national and local level to improve the lot of the elderly regarding their residential arrangement. Recommendations have been made for interventions at a national and community level (AU)

Perceptions of the elderly among nursing home aides of three Black cultural groups

The Perceptions of the Elderly State (PES) was administered to a sample of 246 aides working in nursing homes in the New York Metropolitan Area. The aides represented three Black American cultural groups; African Americans, English-speaking Caribbean Blacks (including Jamaicans, Trinidadians, and Barbadians) and Haitians. Members of these groups make up the overwhelming majority of nursing homes aides in New York City. The results indicate that aides from all three groups had generally favorable attitudes towards the elderly, but the English-speaking Caribbean groups expressed significantly more favorable attitudes than aides in either of the two other groups. The observed differences were attributed to the traditional role of the older individual within West Indian value culture as disciplinarian and authority figure. Implications for in-service education are discussed.(AU)