Search results for ‘Subject term:"alzheimers disease"’ Sort:
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Exploring differences in depression, role captivity, and self-acceptance in Hispanic and non-Hispanic adult children caregivers
- Authors:
- MORANO Carmen L., SANDERS Sara
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 14(1/2), 2005, pp.27-46.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A variation of the stress, appraisal, and coping model was used to examine the negative and positive consequences of providing care to a person diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Data were collected from a sample of 113 Hispanic and non-Hispanic adult children who were providing care to impaired parents in the United States. Results showed that the Hispanic caregivers were more likely to be experiencing less depression, lower levels of role captivity, and higher amounts of self-acceptance than the non-Hispanic (White) caregivers. While significant differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic caregivers were present, results from multiple regression analysis demonstrated that feelings of role captivity were stronger predictors of both negative and positive caregiving outcomes than was the caregivers' ethnic status. The findings of this study indicate a continued need for future research with more diverse groups of AD caregivers in order to develop more culturally appropriate interventions. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Grief reactions and depression in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease: results from a pilot study in an urban setting
- Authors:
- SANDERS Sara, ADAMS BETTS Kathryn
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 30(4), November 2005, pp.287-295.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The relationship between grief and depression in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease has not been clearly defined through empirical research. This pilot study examined the relationship between these two variables and determined the strength of their relationship. A racially diverse sample of caregivers was drawn from an urban setting on the east coast of the United States. Results indicated not only that a significant proportion of caregivers experience high levels of grief that may place them at risk of other difficulties, but also that grief is a significant predictor of increased depressive symptoms. Clinical social work implications are examined.
Alzheimer's caregiver differences in experience of loss, grief reactions and depressive symptoms across stage of disease: a mixed method analysis
- Authors:
- BETTS ADAMS Kathryn, SANDERS Sara
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 3(2), June 2004, pp.195-210.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The self-reported losses, grief reactions, and depressive symptoms experienced by caregivers in the early, middle and late stages of dementia were assessed using open-ended descriptive questions and scaled measures including the Meuser-Marwit Caregiver Grief Inventory. Ninety nine caregivers associated with an urban Alzheimer's Association chapter were surveyed by post. While there were moderate levels of grief and depression reported across the entire sample, those caring for individuals in the late stage of dementia reported significantly more symptoms of grief than those in the early or middle stages. The late stage group's comments most resembled bereavement, in keeping with the higher grief and depression scores among members of this group. Findings suggest there are different emotional tasks faced by caregivers as the dementia progresses, and it is important to acknowledge the particular losses and facilitate grieving at each stage.
Caring for individuals with end-stage dementia at the end of life: a specific focus on hospice social workers
- Authors:
- SANDERS Sara, SWAILS Peggy
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 8(1), February 2009, pp.117-138.
- Publisher:
- Sage
During this ethnographic study, the beliefs and practices about dementia care of 13 hospice social workers from the United States were documented for 10 months through interviews, in-field observations, and chart reviews. It was determined that although hospice social workers use a wealth of practice skills with individuals with end-stage dementia and their caregivers and strive to enhance the personhood of the patients, they also possess a neutral to negative view of practice with this population and see their role as limited and ambiguous compared to how they view their work with cognitively intact patients. This study has implications for how hospice social workers and other healthcare professionals provide end-of-life care for patients and families who are dealing with dementia and the types of training that should be implemented in hospice agencies to strengthen end-stage dementia care.
Grief and personal growth experience of spouses and adult-child caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease
- Authors:
- OTT Carol H., SANDERS Sara, KELBER Sheryl T.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 47(6), December 2007, pp.789-809.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The purpose of this study was to describe the grief and personal growth experience of spouses and adult children of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and the factors contributing to these experiences. A modification of the Marwit–Meuser–Sanders Caregiver Grief model was used to examine the factors that contribute to grief and personal growth. Chi-square tests, t tests, multivariate analyses of variance, correlations, and hierarchical regression analyses were used in a cross-sectional analysis of 201 spouses and adult children caregivers at various stages of the disease trajectory. Grief increased as the severity of the disease increased. When the spouse with Alzheimer's disease lived out of the home, spouse caregivers experienced more sadness and longing, worry and isolation, and personal sacrifice burden than did adult children caregivers. Different factors influence grief and personal growth for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The majority of caregivers experienced personal growth, with more growth experienced by adult children. Health care providers should consider using the Marwit and Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory to screen for high levels of grief in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Supportive services targeted for those with high levels of grief are suggested.
Is the glass half empty or half full?: reflections on strain and gain in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease
- Author:
- SANDERS Sara
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 40(3), 2005, pp.57-73.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
While caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia experience a range of caregiving burdens or strains, it has been found that they also experience positive outcomes or gains. This study examined both the caregiver strains and gains in a diverse urban sample of 85 caregivers (spouses and adult children). Eighty-one percent of the caregivers reported both strains and gains, while 19% of the caregivers reported only experiencing strains. The caregiver strains originated from worries and uncertainties, balancing multiple demands, and feeling overwhelmed with care, while spiritual growth, personal growth, and feelings of mastery produced feelings of gain. Implications for clinical social work practice are presented.
Are they grieving? A qualitative analysis examining grief in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease
- Authors:
- SANDERS Sara, CORLEY Constance Saltz
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 37(3), 2003, pp.35-53.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In this American a qualitative research methodology is used to identify themes about the grief reactions expressed by caregivers. Results found that although some caregivers reported that they were not grieving, there was still a strong sense of loss in their descriptions of their caregiving experience. Additionally, for the caregivers who reported that they were grieving, their grief was characterized by multiple losses that accumulated during the disease process. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
The utilization of a psychoeducational group approach for addressing issues of grief and loss in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease: a pilot program
- Authors:
- SANDERS Sara, SHARP Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Long-Term Care, 3(2), 2004, pp.71-89.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
The examination of grief and loss associated with caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer's disease is just beginning to receive necessary empirical attention. With the increase in the number of people developing Alzheimer's disease, it is critical that social workers in aging specific agencies and in long-term care facilities identify strategies to assist caregivers with a variety of psychosocial reactions, including feelings of grief and loss. This article will present a model for a psychoeducational grief group specifically designed for caregivers of individuals with mid to late stage Alzheimer's disease. The model contains a curriculum for a 5-week group that allows caregivers to confront their personal grief and loss reactions, while also learning coping strategies. Recommendations for evaluation and replication of the group are identified. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Perceptions of caregiving role by son's caring for a parent with Alzheimer's disease: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- SANDERS Sara, McFARLAND Peggy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 37(2), 2002, pp.61-76.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In this qualitative study, 18 sons were interviewed about the factors that led them to assume the role of primary caregiver for a parent with progressive memory loss, such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as the personal challenge that they experienced in this role. The analysis demonstrated that sons experience a range of emotional reactions, personal and professional conflict, as well as learn about new roles and responsibilities as they attempt to access the needed services for their parent.
The expressions of loss and grief among male caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease
- Authors:
- SANDERS Sara, MORANO Carmen, CORLEY Constance Salz
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 39(4), 2002, pp.3-17.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
While research on caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease dominated gerontological research for the last 25 years, little attention has been given to the grief reactions of caregivers, particularly male caregivers. This study examined the expression of grief and loss among 71 male caregivers who were currently caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. Qualitative research methodology found that while not all caregivers perceived themselves to be grieving, expressions of loss were present in all statements. Implications for geriatric social work practice were examined.