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1.
Clin Gerontol ; 47(1): 78-89, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36732317

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Dementia caregivers (CGs) are at heightened risk for developing problems with anxiety and depression. Much attention has been directed toward developing and deploying interventions designed to protect CG health, but few have been supported by rigorous empirical evidence. Technology-based interventions that are effective, scalable, and do not add greatly to the CG burden are of particular interest. METHODS: We conducted a nine-month randomized controlled trial in 63 homes evaluating People Power Caregiver (PPCg), a system of sensors in the home connected to cloud-based software that alerts CGs about worrisome deviations from normal patterns (e.g., falls, wandering). RESULTS: CGs in the active condition had significantly less anxiety than those in the control condition at the six-month assessment. Greater anxiety reduction in the active condition at the six-month assessment was associated with greater interaction with PPCg via SMS text messages. There were no differences in anxiety at the three-month or nine-month assessments or in depression at any assessment. CONCLUSIONS: PPCg shows promise for reducing anxiety associated with caring for a =person with dementia. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Technology-based interventions can help reduce CG anxiety, a major adverse consequence of caregiving that may be difficult to treat due to other demands on caregiver time and energy.


Asunto(s)
Demencia , Dispositivos de Autoayuda , Humanos , Cuidadores , Demencia/terapia , Ansiedad/terapia , Trastornos de Ansiedad
2.
Alzheimers Dement ; 19(5): 1865-1875, 2023 05.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36331050

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) cause adverse events and death. We evaluate the Care Ecosystem (CE) collaborative dementia care program on medication use among community-dwelling persons living with dementia (PLWD). METHODS: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing CE to usual care (UC) on changes in PIMs, over 12 months between March 2015 and May 2020. Secondary outcomes included change in number of medications, clinically relevant PIMs, and anti-dementia medications. RESULTS: Of 804 PLWD, N = 490 had complete medication data. The CE resulted in significantly fewer PIMs compared to UC (-0.35; 95% CI, -0.49 to -0.20; P < 0.0001). Number needed to prevent an increase in 1 PIM was 3. Total medications, PIMs for dementia or cognitive impairment, CNS-active PIMs, anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and opioids were also fewer. Anti-dementia medication regimens were modified more frequently. CONCLUSION: The CE medication review intervention embedded in collaborative dementia care optimized medication use among PLWD. HIGHLIGHTS: Compared to usual care (UC), the Care Ecosystem (CE) medication review intervention prevented increases in potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Use of anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and opioids were significantly reduced, with a trend for antipsychotics. Anti-dementia medications were adjusted more frequently. The CE medication review intervention embedded in collaborative dementia care optimized medication use.


Asunto(s)
Prescripción Inadecuada , Lista de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropiados , Humanos , Vida Independiente , Antagonistas Colinérgicos , Benzodiazepinas , Polifarmacia
3.
Alzheimers Dement ; 19(6): 2707-2729, 2023 06.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36749854

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: We aim to provide guidance on outcomes and measures for use in patients with Alzheimer's clinical syndrome. METHODS: A consensus group of 20 voting members nominated by 10 professional societies, and a non-voting chair, used a Delphi approach and modified GRADE criteria. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on priority outcomes (n = 66), measures (n = 49) and statements (n = 37) across nine domains. A number of outcomes and measurement instruments were ranked for: Cognitive abilities; Functional abilities/dependency; Behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms; Patient quality of life (QoL); Caregiver QoL; Healthcare and treatment-related outcomes; Medical investigations; Disease-related life events; and Global outcomes. DISCUSSION: This work provides indications on the domains and ideal pertinent measurement instruments that clinicians may wish to use to follow patients with cognitive impairment. More work is needed to develop instruments that are more feasible in the context of the constraints of clinical routine.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Humanos , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/terapia , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/diagnóstico , Calidad de Vida , Consenso , Técnica Delphi , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud
4.
Eur J Neurol ; 29(4): 957-967, 2022 04.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34862834

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The faster rates of cognitive decline and predominance of atypical forms in early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) suggest that neuropsychiatric symptoms could be different in EOAD compared to late-onset AD (LOAD); however, prior studies based on non-biomarker-diagnosed cohorts show discordant results. Our goal was to determine the profile of neuropsychiatric symptoms in EOAD and LOAD, in a cohort with biomarker/postmortem-confirmed diagnoses. Additionally, the contribution of co-pathologies was explored. METHODS: In all, 219 participants (135 EOAD, 84 LOAD) meeting National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer's Association criteria for AD (115 amyloid positron emission tomography/cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, 104 postmortem diagnosis) at the University of California San Francisco were evaluated. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire (NPI-Q) was assessed at baseline and during follow-up. The NPI-Q mean comparisons and regression models adjusted by cognitive (Mini-Mental State Examination) and functional status (Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes) were performed to determine the effect of EOAD/LOAD and amnestic/non-amnestic diagnosis on NPI-Q. Regression models assessing the effect of co-pathologies on NPI-Q were performed. RESULTS: At baseline, the NPI-Q scores were higher in EOAD compared to LOAD (p < 0.05). Longitudinally, regression models showed a significant effect of diagnosis, where EOAD had higher NPI-Q total, anxiety, motor disturbances and night-time behavior scores (p < 0.05). No differences between amnestics/non-amnestics were found. Argyrophilic grain disease co-pathology predicted a higher severity of NPI-Q scores in LOAD. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety, night-time behaviors and motor disturbances are more severe in EOAD than LOAD across the disease course. The differential patterns of neuropsychiatric symptoms observed between EOAD/LOAD could suggest a pattern of selective vulnerability extending to the brain's subcortical structures. Further, co-pathologies such as argyrophilic grain disease in LOAD may also play a role in increasing neuropsychiatric symptoms.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Disfunción Cognitiva , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/psicología , Ansiedad/psicología , Estudios de Cohortes , Humanos , Pruebas de Estado Mental y Demencia , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas
5.
Alzheimers Dement ; 15(7): 899-906, 2019 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31175026

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Dementia is among the costliest of medical conditions, but it is not known how these costs vary by dementia subtype. METHODS: The effect of dementia diagnosis subtype on direct health care costs and utilization was estimated using 2015 California Medicare fee-for-service data. Potential drivers of increased costs in Lewy body dementia (LBD), in comparison to Alzheimer's disease, were tested. RESULTS: 3,001,987 Medicare beneficiaries were identified, of which 8.2% had a dementia diagnosis. Unspecified dementia was the most common diagnostic category (59.6%), followed by Alzheimer's disease (23.2%). LBD was the costliest subtype to Medicare, on average, followed by vascular dementia. The higher costs in LBD were explained in part by falls, urinary incontinence or infection, depression, anxiety, dehydration, and delirium. DISCUSSION: Dementia subtype is an important predictor of health care costs. Earlier identification and targeted treatment might mitigate the costs associated with co-occurring conditions in LBD.


Asunto(s)
Demencia , Planes de Aranceles por Servicios/economía , Costos de la Atención en Salud , Servicios de Salud para Ancianos/estadística & datos numéricos , Medicare/economía , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , California , Demencia/clasificación , Demencia/economía , Demencia Vascular , Femenino , Servicios de Salud para Ancianos/economía , Humanos , Enfermedad por Cuerpos de Lewy/economía , Masculino , Estados Unidos
6.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry ; 26(4): 484-493, 2018 04.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29289452

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether deficits in empathic accuracy (i.e., ability to recognize emotion in others) in patients with neurodegenerative disease are associated with greater depression in their caregivers. DESIGN: Two cross-sectional studies. SETTING: Academic medical center and research university. PARTICIPANTS: Two independent samples (N = 172, N = 63) of patients with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases and their caregivers; comparison group of healthy couples. MEASUREMENT: Patients' empathic accuracy was assessed in the laboratory using a novel dynamic tracking task (rating another person's changing emotions over time) and more traditional measures (recognizing the emotion expressed in photographs of facial expressions and by characters in films). Caregivers completed self-report inventories of depression. RESULTS: Lower empathic accuracy in patients was associated with greater depression in caregivers in both studies. In study 1, this association was found when empathic accuracy was measured using the dynamic tracking measure but not when measured using the more traditional photograph and film measures. In study 2, we found preliminary support for our theoretical model wherein lower empathic accuracy in patients is associated with increased caregiver stress (loneliness, strain, and burden), which in turn is associated with greater caregiver depression. CONCLUSIONS: Caring for a patient with deficits in empathic accuracy is associated with greater loneliness, strain, and burden for caregivers, and increased depression. Caregivers may benefit from interventions designed to compensate for the stress and interpersonal loss associated with patients' declining empathic accuracy.


Asunto(s)
Cuidadores/psicología , Depresión/complicaciones , Empatía , Relaciones Interpersonales , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/psicología , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Autoinforme , Estrés Psicológico/complicaciones , Estados Unidos
8.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep ; 16(10): 88, 2016 10.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27541750

RESUMEN

Dementia family caregiving has been the focus of research for decades. Much has been learned about the negative impact of caregiving as well as characteristics that may be protective. This paper explores themes in caregiving pertinent to clinicians and researchers working with dementia family caregivers: the psychological, subjective, and physical outcomes of caregiving, ways in which dementia alters relationships between the patient and caregiver, and strategies for improving outcomes for caregivers. Suggestions for next steps in research and clinical care are made.


Asunto(s)
Cuidadores/psicología , Demencia/enfermería , Familia/psicología , Humanos
9.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep ; 16(2): 14, 2016 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26750129

RESUMEN

Worldwide prevalence of dementia is predicted to double every 20 years. The most common cause in individuals over 65 is Alzheimer's disease (AD), but in those under 65, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is as frequent. The physical and cognitive decline that characterizes these diseases is commonly accompanied by troublesome behavioral symptoms. These behavioral symptoms contribute to significant morbidity and mortality among both patients and caregivers. Medications have been largely ineffective in managing these symptoms and carry significant adverse effects. Non-pharmacological interventions have been recommended to precede the utilization of pharmacological treatments. This article reviews the research about these interventions with special attention to the variations by etiology, especially FTD. The authors offer recommendations for improving utilization of these strategies and future research recommendations.


Asunto(s)
Síntomas Conductuales , Trastornos del Conocimiento , Cuidadores , Trastornos del Conocimiento/etiología , Humanos
10.
Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord ; 28(2): 175-81, 2014.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24113564

RESUMEN

Aberrant psychological and behavioral symptoms are common in patients with dementia. These symptoms have negative consequences for family caregivers, causing stress and burden. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) symptoms cause more pronounced stress and burden on caregivers than those associated with Alzheimer dementia. In this randomized, attention control pilot study, we delivered 5-weekly, one-on-one, positive affect intervention sessions to family caregivers of people with FTD. The program, Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers: LEAF was conducted in-person or by videoconference with caregivers across the United States. Measures of affect, caregiver mood, stress, distress, and caregiver burden were assessed at baseline, end of sessions, and 1 month after completion. Twenty-four caregivers (12 intervention and 12 attention control) participated. At the end of the intervention, scores on positive affect, negative affect, burden, and stress all improved in the intervention compared with the control group. These scores continued to show improvement at the assessment done 1 month after intervention. Subjects were receptive to the skills and the delivery methods. The positive emotion skill-building intervention proved feasible especially in the internet videoconference delivery format. The intervention promoted positive affect and improved psychological outcomes for family caregivers of people with FTD.


Asunto(s)
Adaptación Psicológica , Cuidadores/psicología , Depresión/terapia , Demencia Frontotemporal/enfermería , Atención Plena/métodos , Estrés Psicológico/terapia , Afecto , Anciano , Atención , Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual/métodos , Estudios de Factibilidad , Femenino , Humanos , Internet , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Calidad de Vida , Comunicación por Videoconferencia
11.
Nurs Res ; 63(2): 129-36, 2014.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24589648

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Dementia is associated with disruptions in sleep and sleep quality for patients and their family caregivers. Little is known about the impact of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) on sleep. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize sleep in patients with FTD and their family caregivers. METHODS: Twenty-two patient-caregiver dyads were enrolled: Thirteen behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) and nine semantic dementia (SD). Sleep and sleep quality data were collected for 2 weeks using diaries and Actiwatches. RESULTS: Patients with bvFTD and SD spent more time in bed at night compared to their caregivers. Nighttime behaviors were reported more frequently by caregivers for the bvFTD patients and strongly correlated with caregiver distress. Actigraphy data showed normal sleep efficiency and timing of the nighttime sleep period for both patients and their caregivers. Caregivers of patients with bvFTD reported poorer sleep quality compared to the SD caregivers. A greater number of bvFTD caregivers compared to SD reported negative aspects of sleep quality for themselves and used sleep medications more frequently. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations of bvFTD appear to be associated with different and more distressing impacts on the caregiver sleep quality than SD.


Asunto(s)
Cuidadores/psicología , Familia/psicología , Demencia Frontotemporal/psicología , Privación de Sueño/epidemiología , Actigrafía , Anciano , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Demencia Frontotemporal/complicaciones , Demencia Frontotemporal/terapia , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Autoevaluación (Psicología) , Estrés Psicológico/complicaciones
12.
Res Sq ; 2024 Jun 14.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38946950

RESUMEN

Background: The research community has historically failed to enroll diverse groups of participants in dementia clinical trials. A unique aspect of dementia care research is the requirement of a study partner, who can attest to the care recipient's clinical and functional capacity. The aim of this study is to assess racial and ethnic differences and the importance of various trial considerations among dementia caregivers, in their decision to participate in clinical research as study partners. Method: We embedded a vignette about a hypothetical dementia clinical trial in a nationally representative survey of U.S. dementia caregivers, oversampling non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic caregivers. Dementia caregivers were asked about their willingness to participate in the trial with their care recipient and rated the importance of nine considerations in hypothetical decisions to participate. Caregiver demographic characteristics were analyzed as predictors of trial participation in a base demographic model. In a second reasons model caregiver demographic characteristics and the rated importance of the nine considerations were separately analyzed as predictors; both models used survey-weighted logistic regression. Result: The sample consisted of 610 dementia caregivers, including 156 non-Hispanic Black and 122 Hispanic caregiver participants. In the base demographic model, hypothetical trial participation was negatively associated with older caregiver age (OR (odds ratio) = 0.72, p = < 0.001). In the reasons model, the rated importance of a social responsibility to help others by participating in research was significantly associated with participation (OR = 1.56, p = 0.049), while the importance of the possibility of the care recipient experiencing serious side effects was negatively associated with participation (OR = 0.51, p = 0.003). In both models there was no significant difference in hypothetical participation between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White caregivers, or between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White caregivers. Conclusion: Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black dementia caregivers were not less likely than non-Hispanic White dementia caregivers to participate in a hypothetical dementia clinical trial. Our study suggests that failures to recruit diverse populations in dementia clinical research are not attributable to less willingness among members of underrepresented groups but may instead reflect structural barriers and historic exclusion from trial participation.

13.
Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord ; 27(1): 62-7, 2013.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22261729

RESUMEN

This study characterized daytime activity and apathy in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and semantic dementia (SD) and their family caregivers. Twenty-two patient-caregiver dyads were enrolled: 13 bvFTD and 9 SD. Data were collected on behavior and movement. Patients and caregivers wore Actiwatches for 2 weeks to record activity. We predicted that bvFTD patients would show greater caregiver report of apathy and less daytime activity compared with patients diagnosed with SD. Patients with bvFTD spent 25% of their day immobile, whereas patients with SD spent 16% of their day inactive. BvFTD caregivers spent 11% of their day immobile and SD caregivers were immobile 9% of their day. Apathy was present in all of the patients with bvFTD and in all but one patient with SD; the severity of apathy was greater in bvFTD compared with SD. Apathy correlated with caregiver emotional distress in both groups. In conclusion, apathy has been defined as a condition of diminished motivation that is difficult to operationalize. Among patients with frontotemporal dementia, apathy was associated with lower levels of activity, greater number of bouts of immobility, and longer immobility bout duration. Apathy and diminished daytime activity appeared to have an impact on the caregiver. Objective measures of behavioral output may help in formulation of a more precise definition of apathy.


Asunto(s)
Apatía , Cuidadores/psicología , Demencia Frontotemporal/psicología , Actividades Cotidianas , Anciano , Femenino , Degeneración Lobar Frontotemporal/psicología , Humanos , Masculino , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas
14.
Front Neurol ; 14: 1167895, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37789887

RESUMEN

Personal narrative is a powerful way to include people in their care and to understand their values that drive their needs. In this paper, we describe a program designed to teach oral history to clinicians and trainees in the field of aging, dementia and caregiving. The training uses empathic listening, open-ended interviewing, and the discovery of individual values and experience to breakdown stigma and preconceptions of what it means to age with cognitive impairment. Sharing these stories of aging, dementia, and caregiving becomes an important tool to break down stereotypes, promote person-centered care, and advocate for the unheard. The profound impact of the oral history process is felt by the narrator, the interviewer and the listener. Human beings are wired for stories, and oral history taps into that power to connect us and provide better care through better understanding.

15.
J Am Geriatr Soc ; 71(7): 2172-2183, 2023 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36917135

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Dementia can impede the relationship and connection between the person with dementia (PWD) and their caregiver. Yet, caregiving in dementia also offers opportunities for connection, which has implications for caregiver and PWD well-being. In this qualitative study, we describe and characterize ways caregivers felt connected to the person with dementia they care for. METHODS: We conducted a telephone-based survey with caregivers of people with dementia. For this paper, we analyzed responses to an open-ended question focused on when caregivers feel most connected to the person they are caring for. Responses were analyzed and coded and themes were identified through an iterative process involving a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians. RESULTS: 437 caregivers participated in this study. We identified two domains of connection: activity-based and emotion-based connections. Within activity-based connections, the following themes emerged: everyday activities; reminiscing; activities of caregiving; novel experiences; and time with family and friends. Within emotional connections, the following themes emerged: expressions of love, appreciation, and gratitude; physical affection; sharing an emotion or emotional experience; and times when the PWD seems like "themself" again. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide insights into ways caregivers experience a sense of connection with the person they care for. There is a call to shift away from focusing on reducing stress and toward optimizing positive experiences as a way to better support caregivers' health and well-being. Interventions that leverage these insights to foster caregiver - PWD connection could lead to better health and well-being for both members of the dyad. The amplification of a positive experience may be particularly important for caregivers who are struggling with limited support or respite. Clinicians may be interested in using a question about connection as a way to more fully understand a caregiver's current experience.


Asunto(s)
Demencia , Amor , Femenino , Humanos , Cuidadores/psicología , Demencia/psicología , Emociones , Satisfacción Personal
16.
JAMA Intern Med ; 183(11): 1222-1228, 2023 11 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37721734

RESUMEN

Importance: Collaborative dementia care programs are effective in addressing the needs of patients with dementia and their caregivers. However, attempts to consider effects on health care spending have been limited, leaving a critical gap in the conversation around value-based dementia care. Objective: To determine the effect of participation in collaborative dementia care on total Medicare reimbursement costs compared with usual care. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a prespecified secondary analysis of the Care Ecosystem trial, a 12-month, single-blind, parallel-group randomized clinical trial conducted from March 2015 to March 2018 at 2 academic medical centers in California and Nebraska. Participants were patients with dementia who were living in the community, aged 45 years or older, and had a primary caregiver and Medicare fee-for-service coverage for the duration of the trial. Intervention: Telehealth dementia care program that entailed assignment to an unlicensed dementia care guide who provided caregiver support, standardized education, and connection to licensed dementia care specialists. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome was the sum of all Medicare claim payments during study enrollment, excluding Part D (drugs). Results: Of the 780 patients in the Care Ecosystem trial, 460 (59.0%) were eligible for and included in this analysis. Patients had a median (IQR) age of 78 (72-84) years, and 256 (55.7%) identified as female. Participation in collaborative dementia care reduced the total cost of care by $3290 from 1 to 6 months postenrollment (95% CI, -$6149 to -$431; P = .02) and by $3027 from 7 to 12 months postenrollment (95% CI, -$5899 to -$154; P = .04), corresponding overall to a mean monthly cost reduction of $526 across 12 months. An evaluation of baseline predictors of greater cost reduction identified trends for recent emergency department visit (-$5944; 95% CI, -$10 336 to -$1553; interaction P = .07) and caregiver depression (-$6556; 95% CI, -$11 059 to -$2052; interaction P = .05). Conclusions and Relevance: In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia, the Care Ecosystem model was associated with lower total cost of care compared with usual care. Collaborative dementia care programs are a cost-effective, high-value model for dementia care. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02213458.


Asunto(s)
Demencia , Medicare , Humanos , Anciano , Femenino , Estados Unidos , Ecosistema , Método Simple Ciego , Costos de la Atención en Salud , Demencia/terapia
17.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry ; 20(8): 724-8, 2012 Aug.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21941168

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To examine caregiver strain, depression, perceived sense of control, and distress from patient neuropsychiatric symptoms in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer disease (AD) and behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and determine whether group differences exist. METHODS: Family caregivers were recruited from the Memory and Aging Center in San Francisco, California. Analyses of cross-sectional data on 53 family caregivers (AD = 31, bvFTD = 22) were performed. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to contrast groups. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the AD and bvFTD caregivers in strain, distress, and perceived control but not in depression. On average, bvFTD caregivers experienced greater strain and distress, more depressive symptoms, and lower perceived control. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support that experiences of AD and bvFTD caregivers may differ. Further study is needed to identify possible explanatory factors for these group differences.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/enfermería , Cuidadores/psicología , Demencia Frontotemporal/enfermería , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Depresión , Femenino , Humanos , Control Interno-Externo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estrés Psicológico
18.
Innov Aging ; 6(2): igac007, 2022.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35434383

RESUMEN

Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created challenges for persons with dementia, their caregivers, and programs that support them. The Care Ecosystem (CE) is a model of dementia care designed to support people with dementia and their family caregiver dyads through ongoing contact with a care team navigator (CTN) and an expert clinical team. CTNs provide support, education, and resources and help dyads manage dementia-related concerns as they evolve over the course of the disease. We aimed to understand how the CE responded to the needs of dyads during the initial 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods: We conducted a survey and qualitative interviews with staff members from 4 established CE programs located in 4 different states to explore (a) challenges dyads voiced during the pandemic, (b) CE staff approaches to addressing the needs of dyads, and (c) programmatic challenges faced and lessons learned. Findings: Nine staff members from 4 CE programs with an active collective caseload of 379 dyads were interviewed. Themes were identified that included dyad concerns regarding fear of illness, changing attitudes toward long-term care, decreased availability of services and resources, and impacts on patient and caregiver health and well-being. Programmatic challenges included maintaining effective communication with dyads and program staff, technological readiness, workflow restructuring, and program sustainability. Discussion and Implications: Approaches in supporting people with dementia and their caregivers should demonstrate flexibility, responsivity, and creativity, and these findings provide insight for understanding how dementia care programs can be positioned to offer continuous support for this vulnerable population.

19.
Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra ; 12(1): 60-68, 2022.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35702160

RESUMEN

Introduction: Family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWDs) have extensive social, physical, emotional, and financial responsibilities. However, less is known about the relationship and interpersonal connection between caregivers and PLWDs. We examined caregiver pronoun use, as an index of the connection between the caregiver and PLWD and its associations with the caregiver's and PLWD's health and well-being. Methods: Caregivers of PLWDs (N = 320) were asked to describe a recent time they felt connected to the PLWD in their care. Responses were transcribed and coded to quantify pronoun use by category (we-pronouns, I-pronouns, and they-pronouns). Caregivers also reported on their depression, burden, and the PLWD's dementia severity and marital satisfaction. Sixty-eight caregivers repeated the same survey 24 months after the initial survey. Results: Caregivers used less we-pronouns when the PLWD's dementia was more severe, at both timepoints. Spousal caregivers used more we-pronouns and less I- and they-pronouns than nonspousal caregivers. There was an interaction between spousal relationship and dementia severity, such that spousal caregivers exhibited a stronger negative association between dementia severity and we-pronoun use. There were no associations between pronoun category and caregiver burden or depression. Discussion: Caregivers may feel increasingly disconnected from the PLWD as their dementia becomes more severe, as reflected by less we-pronoun usage. This study highlights the opportunity to explore relationship connection through text analysis.

20.
J Alzheimers Dis ; 86(2): 787-800, 2022.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35124641

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: After a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, people living with dementia (PWD) and caregivers wonder what disease trajectory to expect and how to plan for functional and cognitive decline. This qualitative study aimed to identify patient and caregiver experiences receiving anticipatory guidance about dementia from a specialty dementia clinic. OBJECTIVE: To examine PWD and caregiver perspectives on receiving anticipatory guidance from a specialty dementia clinic. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with PWD, and active and bereaved family caregivers, recruited from a specialty dementia clinic. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and systematically summarized. Thematic analysis identified anticipatory guidance received from clinical or non-clinical sources and areas where respondents wanted additional guidance. RESULTS: Of 40 participants, 9 were PWD, 16 were active caregivers, and 15 were bereaved caregivers. PWD had a mean age of 75 and were primarily male (n = 6/9); caregivers had a mean age of 67 and were primarily female (n = 21/31). Participants felt they received incomplete or "hesitant" guidance on prognosis and expected disease course via their clinicians and filled the gap with information they found via the internet, books, and support groups. They appreciated guidance on behavioral, safety, and communication issues from clinicians, but found more timely and advance guidance from other non-clinical sources. Guidance on legal and financial planning was primarily identified through non-clinical sources. CONCLUSION: PWD and caregivers want more information about expected disease course, prognosis, and help planning after diagnosis. Clinicians have an opportunity to improve anticipatory guidance communication and subsequent care provision.


Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Demencia , Anciano , Cuidadores/psicología , Demencia/psicología , Demencia/terapia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Investigación Cualitativa , Incertidumbre
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