SOCIAL network analysis

Background: Technological changes have led to important advances in medical diagnoses and treat-ments that prolong the informal care process. Support from the personal network of informal caregivers is an undervalued resource and the changes that have occurred over time are unknown.

Social support is an important predictor of the health of a population. Few studies have analyzed the influence of caregivers' personal networks from a gender perspective. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition, structure, and function of informal caregiver support networks and to examine gender differences. It also aimed to explore the association between different network characteristics and self-perceived health among caregivers. We performed a social network analysis study using a convenience sample of 25 female and 25 male caregivers.

Background: Dementia Cafés are community support groups which provide post-diagnostic support for families affected by dementia. However, little is known about the characteristics of caregivers who attend Cafés. Objectives: To describe the demographic and psychosocial characteristics of caregivers who attend Dementia Cafés, and to identify which of those factors may influence the likelihood of family caregivers attending Dementia Cafés. Methods: A cross-sectional study on caregivers (n = 80; July 2016- July 2017).