Use of oral health care services by family caregivers and care recipients: the LENTO intervention.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the impact of an individually tailored preventive oral health intervention on the use of oral health care services by older family caregivers (FCs) and their care recipients (CRs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized controlled six and 12-month oral health intervention study included FCs and CRs aged ≥65 years living in Eastern Finland. The participants were randomly assigned to an intervention (FCs n = 53, CRs n = 47) and a control (FCs n = 39, CRs n = 35) group. Individually tailored oral health interventions for the FCs provided by a dental hygienist focused on oral hygiene and self-care. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the impact of intervention on the change in the use of oral health care services. RESULTS: The intervention had no significant effect on the use of oral health care services by the FCs or their CRs. Traditional factors such as female gender, a higher number of teeth, toothache, no dental fear, and higher morbidity were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with an increased use of oral health care services in the FCs, but not among the CRs. CONCLUSIONS: Individually tailored preventive oral health intervention showed no effect on the use of oral health care services. To promote oral health among the elderly, specific interventions focusing on use of oral health care services are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04003493.

Prevalence and risk factors of frailty among older family caregivers.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of frailty and identify the demographical and clinical factors associated with frailty among older family caregivers. METHOD: The participants of this cross-sectional study were older family caregivers (n = 125) living in Eastern Finland. Data on functional and cognitive status, depressive symptoms, nutritional status, medication, chronic diseases, stroke, and oral health were obtained. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to evaluate nutritional status. Frailty status was evaluated using the abbreviated comprehensive geriatric assessment (aCGA) scale. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of caregivers were identified as frail. According to multivariable logistic regression, cataract, glaucoma, or macular degeneration and the MNA score were predictors of frailty. After adjusting for age, gender, and number of own teeth, the MNA score remained a significant predictor of frailty (adjusted OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.41). As the MNA scores decreased (meaning poorer nutritional status), the risk of frailty increased. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that frailty is prevalent among older family caregivers. Recognising older family caregivers with frailty or at risk of frailty is vital. It is essential to acknowledge vision problems' role in frailty and to monitor and support the nutritional status of family caregivers regularly to prevent frailty development.

Individually tailored nutritional guidance improved dietary intake of older family caregivers: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Older family caregivers (FCs) are vulnerable to insufficient dietary intake and risk of malnutrition. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of individually tailored nutritional guidance on the dietary intake and nutritional status of older FCs and their care recipients' (CRs') nutritional status. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled 6-month nutrition intervention in Eastern Finland. The inclusion criteria for FCs were having a home-living CR aged 65 or above and a valid care allowance. The exclusion criterion was CR receiving end-of-life care at baseline. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention (FCs n = 63, CRs n = 59) and a control (FCs n = 50, CRs n = 48) group. Individually tailored nutritional guidance targeted to FCs was given to an intervention group by a clinical nutritionist. The main outcomes were dietary intake (3-day food record). RESULTS: After the 6-month intervention, 63 FCs and 59 CRs in the intervention group and 50 FCs and 48 CRs in the control group were analyzed. In the intervention group of FCs, the intakes of protein, riboflavin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iodine differed significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. In addition, the intake of vitamin D supplementation improved in the intervention group of the FCs and CRs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Individually tailored nutrition guidance improves the intake levels of crucial nutrients, such as the intake levels of protein, vitamin D, and calcium of the FCs. Further studies are warranted to optimize the methods to improve the nutrition of FCs. Registration number of Clinical Trials: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04003493 (1 July 2019).

Family caregivers' better nutritional status is associated with care recipients' better nutritional status.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A high proportion of older care recipients (CRs) face malnutrition and risk of malnutrition, affecting their functional abilities and posing challenges for caregiving. The aim of this study was to assess the risk for malnutrition among older CRs and the associated characteristics of both CRs and family caregivers (FCs) with nutritional status of CRs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study consisted of 120 CRs (≥65 years) and their 118 FCs (≥60 years). Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). RESULTS: The majority (63%) of the CRs had a risk of malnutrition (MNA score 17-23.5), and 7% had malnutrition (MNA score <17). The CRs had significantly lower MNA scores compared to their FCs (p < 0.001). The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that CRs' higher number of comorbidities (B = -0.37, p = 0.013) and higher P-hs-CRP (B = -0.10, p = 0.047) were associated with their decreased MNA scores. There was a positive association between CRs' hand grip strength (B = 0.11, p = 0.004) and FCs' MNA scores (B = 0.41, p = 0.004) with MNA scores of the CRs. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition and risk of malnutrition are common concerns in older CRs, especially those with a higher number of comorbidities and low-grade inflammation. Regular assessment of the nutritional status of both older CRs and FCs is justified, as FCs' better nutritional status is associated with better nutritional status of CR. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04003493.

Depressive symptoms, low-grade inflammation, and poor oral health prevents the success of nutritional guidance in older caregivers.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine which factors prevents the success of nutritional interventions for older family caregivers (FCs), in the form of individually tailored nutritional guidance. METHODS: The present study focuses on the intervention group of FCs (n = 63) of a randomized controlled trial. Older FCs (≥60 years of age) receiving a care allowance for a home-living care recipient (≥65 years of age) were included in the present study, which focused on nutritional interventions via individually tailored nutritional guidance provided by a clinical nutritionist. The associations between changes in protein intake (3-day food record), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores, and plasma albumin and prealbumin concentrations, as well as associated factors, for the 6-month intervention period were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Intervention time, female sex, older age, higher net income, better hand grip strength, more teeth, and removable denture use were positively associated with an increase in protein intake. Fewer depressive symptoms were associated with a positive change in the MNA scores. Younger age, lower education level, lower body mass index (BMI), higher depressive symptoms, and fewer teeth were associated with an increase in plasma albumin concentration. Younger age, lower education, lower plasma concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at 6 months, lower Sense of Coherence (SOC) -13 score, fewer teeth, and absence of removable dentures were associated with an increase in plasma prealbumin concentration. CONCLUSION: Older female FCs with a higher income, better hand grip strength, lower education, and lower SOC benefited most from individually tailored nutritional guidance. Depressive symptoms, oral health, and low-grade inflammation should be considered when providing nutritional guidance to older FCs. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04003493 (July 1, 2019).

Older family caregivers' diet-related disparities: Cross-sectional evidence from Finland.

BACKGROUND: Some older family caregivers experience financial vulnerabilities due to their caregiving role, which may affect their ability to afford appropriate food. This study aimed to assess the extent to which there are diet-related disparities among older family caregivers in Eastern Finland. METHODS: This study is based on the multidisciplinary LifEstyle, NutriTion and Oral health in caregivers (LENTO) study. In total, 125 family caregivers were included. Data were collected between June and December 2019. Participants were assessed on health, nutritional status and sociodemographic factors. The associations and predictors of diet-related disparities were assessed using the independent samples t-test, ANOVA-test, χ2 -tests and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean age of family caregivers was 74 years (SD = 8). Most were female (72%), 20% had malnutrition risk and 30% reported having 'moderately enough money' or less, which was identified as 'subjective poverty'. Family caregivers experiencing subjective poverty were less likely to consume two or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily and were more likely overweight. Study participants' diet-related disparities were further associated with several health inequalities, including comorbidity, depression, diabetes (Type I or II) and osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: Older family caregivers have diet-related disparities, further associated with health inequalities. Family caregivers' diet-related disparities require increasing attention in healthcare. Addressing family caregivers' food insecurity risk would enhance their health equity. Lack of assessment of diet-related disparities will only deepen health inequalities.

Assessing Social Inequalities in Older Family Caregivers' Frailty Conditions, Comorbidity, and Cognitive Functioning: A Cross-sectional Study.

We aimed to assess the social inequalities in older family caregivers' frailty conditions, comorbidity, and cognitive functioning. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Study participants were recruited in 2019 in Finland. First, cognitive functioning was assessed with a Mini-Mental State Examination, comorbidity with the modified Functional Comorbidity Index, and frailty conditions were evaluated using the abbreviated Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. Study participants were also interviewed on socioeconomic factors. The social inequalities in these health outcomes were assessed using the Independent Samples t-test, Pearson Chi-square test, and Binary Logistic Regression Analysis. Family caregivers' (n = 125) mean age was 74, and 73% had frailty conditions. Family caregivers' social inequalities in frailty conditions were linked to their older age and the lowest caregiving cash benefit. Family caregivers' low educational attainment was also the main factor predicting their minor cognitive impairment. Family caregivers' social determinants of health should be fully assessed in their health assessment, policies, and programs to ensure healthy aging for both family caregivers and care recipients in the future.

Addressing the Experiences of Family Caregivers of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Finland.

This cross-sectional study assessed the experiences of family caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited (n = 101) between April and December 2019. We applied a mixed-method approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using an independent samples t-test and logistic regression analysis, and qualitative experiences with modified thematic content analysis. The mean age of the family caregivers was 76 years (SD = 7), and 72% were females. Experiences of loneliness and worry during the pandemic were evaluated by self-assessment. Approximately one-third of the participants reported loneliness and worry. These experiences were further associated with female sex, increased psychological distress and depressive symptoms, and decreased physical condition and social relationships. Family caregivers were also worried about the pandemic's impact on health and well-being. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has added an extra psychosocial load to family caregivers. The post-pandemic era requires increased attention to re-evaluating policies and services.

Informal caregivers' perceptions of oral care and their association with the use of oral health services: A cross-sectional study among informal caregivers and their care recipients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe informal caregivers' perceptions of the importance of oral care and investigate the association between these perceptions and the use of oral health services during the past year. BACKGROUND: There is limited research on informal caregivers' perceptions of oral care. These perceptions presumably influence oral self-care along with caregivers' and care recipients' use of oral health services. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Baseline data from the multidisciplinary Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Oral health in caregivers (LENTO) intervention study were analyzed. Informal caregivers (n = 125) and care recipients (n = 120) ≥$\ge $ 65 years of age and living in Eastern Finland participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: A majority (81%) of the informal caregivers considered oral care very important. Informal caregivers who considered oral care very important had 10 or more years of education, and considered service fees reasonable were more likely to have visited oral health services during the past year than other caregivers. No association between informal caregivers' perceptions of oral care and care recipients' use of oral health services during the past year was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides insight into informal caregivers' perceptions of oral care, with most informal caregivers considering oral care to be very important. Our findings support what has been reported in previous studies in that favorable perceptions of oral care are associated with oral health service visits. This association, however, did not hold true for care recipients' use of services.

Inadequate Intake of Energy and Nutrients Is Common in Older Family Caregivers.

The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional status, determinants of nutritional status, and adequacy of energy and nutrient intake of older family caregivers (FC). Nutritional status was measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), plasma albumin, plasma pre-albumin, and blood hemoglobin concentrations. Dietary intake was assessed with a three-day food record. Comorbidity (B -0.283, 95% CI: -0.492, -0.073), quality of life (B 0.045, 95% CI: 0.018, 0.072) and energy intake (B 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.002) were significantly associated with the MNA scores of the older FCs (n = 125). It was common for FCs to have lower than recommended intakes of energy and several nutrients, independent of the risk of malnutrition assessed by the MNA. Over half of the FCs had inadequate intake of protein, vitamin A, folate, and fiber, and 25-40% of the FCs had a low intake of vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamine, magnesium, iron, and selenium. It is important to follow both the nutritional status and dietary intake of older FCs regularly to find those with lower than recommended nutrient intake and to avoid poor nutritional status and its adverse effects hampering their ability to serve as FCs.