RESUMO
Approximately 1.1 million family members are primary caregivers to post 9/11 veterans. These military caregivers assume a role that requires a long-term commitment that may affect their own health status; however, the impact on health among military caregivers is underestimated and underrepresented. As part of a larger retrospective cohort study that aimed to assess the health-related outcomes of post 9/11 veterans with penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI), we examined the health impact of caregiving on caregivers. Caregivers (n = 66) of veterans with pTBI completed a survey that captured the veterans' and their own health-related outcomes. Surveys included veteran and caregiver sociodemographics, caregiver role, tasks, burden, and caregiver-reported measures of veterans' health and quality of life. The participants were spouses (58%) and parents (32%) providing full-time assistance for more than 5 yr (74%). In their caregiver role, they provided assistance with activities of daily living and emotional/social support. Forty-eight percent of these caregivers met the definition of experiencing clinically significant burden. Veterans with pTBI had other comorbidities (e.g., depression, cognitive dysfunction, and anger), which were associated with caregiver burden. The findings further confirm the impact of caregiving on health status of caregivers, specifically when assisting veterans with pTBI.
Assuntos
Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/complicações , Cuidadores/psicologia , Ferimentos por Arma de Fogo/complicações , Adaptação Psicológica , Adulto , Lesões Encefálicas Traumáticas/psicologia , Distribuição de Qui-Quadrado , Estudos de Coortes , Efeitos Psicossociais da Doença , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Apoio Social , Inquéritos e Questionários , Veteranos/psicologia , Veteranos/estatística & dados numéricos , Ferimentos por Arma de Fogo/psicologiaRESUMO
Performing a comprehensive geriatric assessment that includes objective physical performance measures is important. Gait speed and the Timed Up and Go test have been shown to predict health decline and mortality in older adults. Detecting subtle functional changes in older adults will help nurse practitioners provide optimal care.
Assuntos
Avaliação Geriátrica/métodos , Enfermagem Geriátrica , Profissionais de Enfermagem , Idoso , Cognição/fisiologia , Depressão/enfermagem , Marcha/fisiologia , Humanos , Movimento/fisiologia , Pesquisa Metodológica em Enfermagem , Fatores de TempoAssuntos
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act/organização & administração , Reforma dos Serviços de Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Indigência Médica/legislação & jurisprudência , Pessoas sem Cobertura de Seguro de Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Cobertura Universal do Seguro de Saúde/legislação & jurisprudência , Humanos , Medicaid/legislação & jurisprudência , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Most nurses enter the profession at the associate degree (AD) level, however, the link between nursing education and patient outcomes supports the need for nurses to be educated at the baccalaureate level. The purpose of this phenomenological study of 11 AD nurses enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program was to describe their perspectives on returning to school. The central question for this study was: "What are the experiences of RNs who return to school for a bachelor's degree after being nurses for at least 3 years?" A total of 11 baccalaureate nursing students were interviewed. Applying a phenomenological data analysis method, the researchers identified four themes in the context of juggling everything that was important in these students' lives: going back, sacrifices, managing, and rewards. Implications for nursing education and practice are made, including the need to encourage, support, and facilitate the process for nurses returning to school.
