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Alzheimer’s disease

Exploring Information and Referral Needs of Individuals with Dementias and Informal Caregivers in Rural and Remote Areas

Objectives: The provision of information and referral (I&R) and connection to support services is crucial for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their informal caregivers, especially in rural and remote regions where care and support resources may be limited. The purpose of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of needs for I&R from community stakeholders across a rural and remote state. Methods: A series of town hall meetings were conducted across ten communities in a frontier state.

Mon, 02/10/2020 - 17:28

Analyzing Twitter Data of Family Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Based on the Depression Ontology

In this paper, we present an ontology-based approach to analyze depression of family caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients. First, we developed depression ontology called OntoDepression considering the language written in social media. Four major classes and specialized subclasses are defined based on the dailyStrength, which is a well-known social media site centered on healthcare. Next, to find mental health of family caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, their twitter data is analyzed based on the OntoDepression.

Tue, 02/04/2020 - 14:59

When Death With Dementia Is "A Memory Seared in My Brain": Caregivers' Recommendations to Health Care Professionals

The purpose of this study is to determine family caregivers' recommendations for professional health care professionals on how to help prepare them for the death of an elder with dementia. Purposive criterion sampling was employed to identify 30 bereaved caregivers of family members aged 65 and older who died with a dementia-related diagnosis. In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted over a 12-month period, and qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data.

Mon, 02/03/2020 - 18:05

Typology of Technology-Supported Dementia Care Interventions From an In-Home Telehealth Trial

Identifying the needs of dementia caregivers is critical for supporting dementia home care. This study identified a typology of expert interventions delivered to dementia caregivers during an innovative telehealth trial that used in-home video recordings to directly observe care challenges. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze narrative notes describing interventions that were developed based on video data submitted by 33 caregiver–care recipient dyads. Two major themes emerged: education and skills for dementia care and caregiver support.

Mon, 02/03/2020 - 16:59

A Scoping Review of Literature on Sex and Gender Differences Among Dementia Spousal Caregivers

Background and Objectives Sex and gender differences among dementia spousal caregivers have been investigated, but never systematically reviewed or synthesized. A synthesis of findings can help facilitate specificity in practice and in health policy development. As a first step towards such a synthesis, this scoping review reports the available evidence, identifies research gaps, and suggests possible directions for future research. Research Design and Methods A scoping review methodology was used to identify articles, and to chart and analyze data.

Mon, 02/03/2020 - 10:56

Psychometric Properties of a Spanish-Language Version of a Short-Form FAMCARE: Applications to Caregivers of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Although family satisfaction is recognized as a critical indicator of quality care for persons with serious illness, Spanish-language measures are limited. The study aims were to develop a Spanish translation of the short-form Family Satisfaction With End-of-Life Care (FAMCARE), investigate its psychometric properties in Hispanic caregivers to patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD; N = 317; 209 interviewed in Spanish), and add parameters to an existing item bank. Based on factor analyses, the measure was found to be essentially unidimensional.

Mon, 02/03/2020 - 09:38

Sleep disturbances in caregivers of persons with dementia: contributing factors and treatment implications

Estimates suggest that there are more than 10 million adult caregivers of persons with dementia, two-thirds of who experience some form of sleep disturbance during the course of their caregiving career. Health care professionals are in the best position to detect and address this significant public health problem. Three major contributors to caregiver sleep disturbance are discussed in this paper: (1) the presence of caregiver disrupted sleep routines; (2) caregiver burden and depression; and, (3) the caregiver's physical health status.

Fri, 01/31/2020 - 09:44

An Investigation of the Interaction Patterns of Peer Patrons on an Online Peer-Support Portal for Informal Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients

Online peer support portals are an effective way for informal caregivers to obtain support from the comfort of their homes. Having realized a dearth of research focusing on users of healthcare peer-support portals, this study focused on top contributors, termed as 'peer patrons', on one such portal.

Fri, 01/24/2020 - 13:00

Integrating Family Caregivers of People With Alzheimer's Disease and Dementias into Clinical Appointments: Identifying Potential Best Practices

Family caregiver engagement in clinical encounters can promote relationship-centered care and optimize outcomes for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Little is known, however, about effective ways for health care providers to engage family caregivers in clinical appointments to provide the highest quality care. We describe what caregivers of people with ADRD and people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) consider potential best practices for engaging caregivers as partners in clinical appointments. Seven online focus groups were convened.

Fri, 01/24/2020 - 12:51

Impact of working situation on mental and physical health for informal caregivers of older people with Alzheimer's disease in Italy. Results from the UP-TECH longitudinal study

Objectives: This longitudinal study explores whether the working situation (no change in working hours despite care, reduction of working hours due to care or not working) moderates mental and physical health of informal caregivers of older people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Italy. Methods: Data from a sample of 146 caregivers of older people with moderate AD involved in the UP-TECH trial across three waves were analysed.

Fri, 01/24/2020 - 11:34