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Journal article

Health literacy and its correlates in informal caregivers of adults with memory loss

This secondary analysis examined health literacy among informal caregivers of community-dwelling older adults with memory loss and assessed correlates of caregiver health literacy using the Abilities, Skills and Knowledge Model. Caregiver health literacy (n = 91) was assessed by the Newest Vital Sign. Limited health literacy presented in 38.5% caregivers, with significantly low document literacy. Health literacy was associated bivariately with age, education, global cognitive function, executive function, and working memory (all ps < 0.001), as well as medication knowledge (p = 0.015).

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 18:57

Diversity in Older Adults' Care Networks: The Added Value of Individual Beliefs and Social Network Proximity

Objectives: Policy reforms in long-term care require an increased share of informal caregivers in elderly care. This may be more feasible for older adults who (believe they) can organize the care themselves and have a local social network.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 14:52

Oncology Nurses' Knowledge, Confidence, and Practice in Addressing Caregiver Strain and Burden

Objectives: To describe nurses' practices, confidence, and knowledge of evidence-based interventions for cancer caregiver strain and burden and to identify factors that contribute to these aspects. ; Sample & Setting: 2,055 Oncology Nursing Society members completed an emailed survey.; Methods & Variables: Pooled analysis of survey results. Variables included the baseline nursing assessment, intervention, confidence, knowledge, strategies used, and barriers encountered.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 12:41

Developing compassionate communities in Australia through collective caregiving: a qualitative study exploring network-centred care and the role of the end of life sector

Background: The new public health palliative care movement calls for a move away from an individualised model of caregiving to a whole of community approach which will increase expectations on community carers. In order to avoid carer isolation, exploitation and potential burnout there is then a very real need to understand environments and relationships which support collective community caregiving.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 12:33

Dualities of dementia illness narratives and their role in a narrative economy

The concept of 'narrative economies' has recently been proposed as a set of exchange relationships that, through biography and story-telling, facilitate access to resources and act as a source of value. We utilise this concept to inform our analysis of 18 qualitative interviews with five people with dementia and four informal carers. Our participants are members of a pre-existing group of dementia advocates, representing the voices of those living with the condition.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 12:20

Caring for the person with cancer: Information and support needs and the role of technology

Objective: Informal carers experience a variety of information and support needs when providing care to someone with cancer.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 12:13

Putting responsive behaviours in place: Examining how formal and informal carers understand the actions of people with dementia

Living alongside and working with people with dementia who yell or strike out can be very demanding and sometimes harmful. It is generally understood that such actions may be a response to the social and physical environment, yet very little attention has been paid to understanding what role the environment plays in eliciting and responding to these actions across different settings. Drawing on 27 semi-structured interviews with formal and informal carers, this article examines how carers understand the actions of people with dementia in relation to their environment.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 12:07

Psychometric evaluation and cultural adaptation of the Spanish version of the "Scale for End-of Life Caregiving Appraisal"

Objective: To translate, culturally adapt, and psychometrically evaluate the Spanish version of the "Scale for End-of Life Caregiving Appraisal" (SEOLCAS).; Method: Observational cross-sectional study. Convenience sample of 201 informal end-of-life caregivers recruited in a southern Spanish hospital. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed through its internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and temporal stability (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] between test-retest). The content validity index of the items and the scale was calculated.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 12:00

Caring for patients with brain tumors compared to patients with non-brain tumors: Experiences and needs of informal caregivers in home care settings

Background/objective: Informal caregivers of patients with advanced cancer experience a challenging time, especially while caring for the patient at home. The aim of this study is to compare experiences, perceived burdens, and needs during home care of informal caregivers of brain tumor patients and informal caregivers of non-brain tumor patients.; Methods: 28 informal caregivers (17 brain tumor group, 11 non-brain tumor group) participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information retrospectively.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 11:44

Helping Carers Care: An Exploratory Study of Factors Impacting Informal Family Carers and Their Use of Aged Care Services

This exploratory study considered the role of informal carers and their decision-making regarding various aged care services that supposedly support their ageing relatives. Consideration was given to the stressors and overall well-being of informal carers and the support services they did or did not receive during their time of caregiving. A questionnaire was utilised to gain exploratory quantitative and qualitative data plus basic demographic information from informal carers who connected with a single caregiver association based in Victoria, Australia.

Fri, 02/01/2019 - 11:31