Healio

Methods: The current study used purposeful and snowball sampling to interview 12 daughters who were care-givers to their parents with Alzheimer's disease. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological approach. Caregiving years ranged from 1 to 10 years, with a mean of 5 years.

Background: RNs in long-term care (LTC) are a critical nexus for end-of-life (EOL) care communication with older adult residents and their families. Methods: A critical review of 17 qualitative research studies examined nurses' experience with EOL care in LTC. Results: Findings indicate that time, preparation, advocacy, organizational resources, and a continuous, relational approach support EOL care communication.

Background: Technology-based tools, including remote activity monitoring (RAM) systems, have been proposed as valuable aids for family caregivers of people with dementia. Previous analyses have shown limited effects of these systems and highlighted a number of barriers, including false alarms. Methods: We used data from an ongoing embedded mixed method randomized controlled intervention to describe patterns of alerts and their association with receipt of the RAM system and caregiver outcomes.

Background: Caregivers are a source of support for family members with disabilities. However, caregivers are at risk for caregiver burden, which can erode self-care skills and lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes. Caregiver Wellness Self-Care, developed to address that risk, is a 5-week group program in which participants learn about strategies that cultivate their inner resources, while connecting with others for support. Wellness, self-care, mindfulness, and yoga-based information and practices are taught in the sessions and included in participant handouts.

Background: The Integrated Memory Care Clinic is a patient-centered medical home led by advanced practice RNs (APRNs) who provide dementia care and primary care simultaneously and continuously. Methods: We explored the experiences of 12 informal caregivers of persons living with dementia during their first year at the Clinic. Data were analyzed via directed content analysis.

Background: Care in the home is increasingly complex, with family caregivers now expected to take on aspects of care previously managed by nurses and other health professionals. Method: In a national sample of caregivers of older adults, we examined predictors and outcomes of level of care (low, medium, high) based on caregiving hours and counts of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs supported.

The current study examined potential gender differences in the associations between informal caregiving, poor mental health, and subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Data were obtained from the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 16,042; 9,410 women, 6,632 men). Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to obtain adjusted beta s and odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) depicting the association between informal caregiving, poor mental health, and SCD overall and by gender.

Family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (CADRD) provide significant support to their family members but often experience challenges and stress that impact their quality of life. Peer supporters can be an important resource to help alleviate stress associated with caregiving, yet few published studies have examined peer supporters for CADRD. This retrospective cohort study examined data collected from a peer support helpline for CADRD in a middle Atlantic state. Four years of data were reviewed to examine trends across time.

The goal of a LVAD is to extend life expectancy, improve physical strength and quality of life, and allow individuals to be discharged home. When making decisions for a family member to receive a LVAD, caregivers are asked to confront a sophisticated technology with not only the potential to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life but also risks for complications and burdens.

The current study examined factors related to fatigue in family caregivers of individuals with dementia using a cross-sectional design to collect subjective and objective data. Findings indicated that caregivers' sleep quality, difficulty falling asleep, and depression, as well as care-recipients' functionality, were associated with family caregivers' fatigue. Regression analysis indicated that only sleep quality significantly predicted caregivers' fatigue. Study findings suggest fatigue is common among family caregivers of individuals with dementia and may be related to sleep quality.