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Cognition in informal caregivers: evidence from an English population study
- Authors:
- GARCIA-CASTRO F. Javier, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 26(3), 2022, pp.507-518.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background and objectives: The relationship between caregiving and cognition remains unclear. We investigate this association comparing four cognitive tasks and exploring the role of potential explanatory pathways such as healthy behaviours (healthy caregiver hypothesis) and depression (stress process model). Research design and methods: Respondents were from English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (N = 8910). Cognitive tasks included immediate and delayed word recall, verbal fluency and serial 7 subtraction. Series of hierarchical linear regressions were performed. Adjustments included socio-demographics, health related variables, health behaviours and depression. Results: Being a caregiver was positively associated with immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency but not with serial 7. For immediate and delayed recall, these associations were partially attenuated when adjusting for health behaviours, and depression. For verbal fluency, associations were partially attenuated when adjusting for depression but fully attenuated when adjusting for health behaviours. No associations were found for serial 7. Discussion and implications: the findings show that caregivers have higher level of memory and executive function compared to non-caregivers. For memory, we found that although health behaviours and depression can have a role in this association, they do not fully explain it. However, health behaviours seem to have a clear role in the association with executive function. Public health and policy do not need to target specifically cognitive function but other areas as the promotion of healthy behaviours and psychological adjustment such as preventing depression and promoting physical activity in caregivers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Patients' and carers' experiences of UK memory services
- Authors:
- HAILEY Emma, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(6), 2016, pp.676-680.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: The objective of this study is to test the validity of an accreditation programme for memory services in the UK by investigating whether different levels of accreditation status (excellent compared with accredited) are reflected in patients' and carers' reported satisfaction. Method: A comparison of survey data from patient and carer feedback questionnaires collected from services as part of the accreditation process. Results: Five hundred and eighty-three patient questionnaires and 663 carer questionnaires were returned from 41 services. Patients and carers who attended memory services which were later ‘accredited as excellent’, were more likely than those who had visited ‘accredited’ services to have: been given written information about a variety of topics; been asked for feedback about using the memory service; and had found it easier to get to their appointments. Carers attending services accredited as excellent were more likely to have been offered an assessment of their needs. Conclusion: Patients and carers had very good experiences of memory services overall whether they had standard or excellent accreditation. However, ‘excellent’ services were consistently better on a number of factors. This provides further support that the accreditation process is an important indicator of the quality of memory services (Publisher abstract)
Stressors and caregivers’ depression: multiple mediators of self-efficacy, social support, and problem-solving skill
- Authors:
- TANG Fengyan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 54(7), 2015, pp.651-668.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Caring for an older adult with memory loss is stressful. Caregiver stress could produce negative outcomes such as depression. Previous research is limited in examining multiple intermediate pathways from caregiver stress to depressive symptoms. This study addresses this limitation by examining the role of self-efficacy, social support, and problem solving in mediating the relationships between caregiver stressors and depressive symptoms. Using a sample of 91 family caregivers, the authors tested simultaneously multiple mediators between caregiver stressors and depression. Results indicate that self-efficacy mediated the pathway from daily hassles to depression. Findings point to the importance of improving self-efficacy in psychosocial interventions for caregivers of older adults with memory loss. (Edited publisher abstract)
Dementia and the family: activities and guidance for families and carers
- Author:
- JOHNSTONE Rachel
- Publisher:
- Southgate Publishers
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 96
- Place of publication:
- Crediton
This book is about helping families to live well with dementia, and to care for, and about, a loved one with dementia. It contains more than 160 intergenerational activities designed to spark memories, stimulate engagement, and encourage interaction, focusing on loved one’s capabilities and interests. Activities are organised by themes, including: reminiscence trips and activities, games, arts, crafts and music, relaxation exercise and outside home, food and shopping. This resource can be used in care homes and memory cafes and by people working in day services and voluntary organisations. It include sections on: how to talk to children about dementia, how memory works, creating a dementia-friendly home, communicating with loved one, why stimulation and activities are so important to a person with dementia, and how to design inter-generational, dementia-friendly activities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Constructing couples’ stories: narrative practice insights from a dyadic dementia intervention
- Authors:
- SCHERRER Kristin S., INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit, SPENCER Beth
- Journal article citation:
- Clinical Social Work Journal, 42(1), 2014, pp.90-100.
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Place of publication:
- New York
Memory loss and dementia can be devastating for both caregivers and care recipients. Narrative therapeutic approaches offer promise, as well as challenges, for social interventions with couples where one partner has dementia. The Couples Life Story Approach is a recently-developed method by which practitioners work with such couples to help them narrate the story of their life together. This narrative approach is augmented by mementoes (e.g., photos, cards) that are collected by the couple during the intervention. Significant memories are elicited from both partners and developed into a Life Story Book. Drawing on data from this clinical research intervention with 20 older couples, we ask: What are some of the challenges of conducting narrative-based therapeutic interventions with older couples with memory loss? Clinical themes were identified utilising a multiple case study approach during weekly team meetings. Six of the most prominent themes are presented here. Specifically, how to: (1) construct a narrative from disparate stories, (2) tell a mutual story, (3) tell the story of a couple that has been in a shorter relationship, (4) incorporate others in the story, (5) include difficult life moments, and, (6) end the story. Within each theme, the authors utilise case examples to illuminate relevant issues and describe strategies that were developed to resolve these clinical challenges. Implications for practitioners and clinical researchers who are engaged in dyadic interventions are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Dementia: 'a death of the mind'
- Author:
- TERRY Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Therapy Today, 21(8), October 2010, pp.20-24.
- Publisher:
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
This paper, written from a psychodynamic perspective by a clinical psychologist lead for older people within a UK NHS Specialist Community Mental Health team, describes the early, transition and advanced stages of dementia and the care of those suffering from increasing memory problems through to loss of independent capacity for language and bodily functions, respectively. Carers of those with dementia may have unconscious and unmanaged fears, which could impact upon the sufferers’ quality of life and add to their distress, a process known as ‘projective identification’ which is described. An example from a dementia care dayroom is quoted by way of illustration. The article goes on to discuss “the value of understanding and support” and “helping to bear what is unbearable” and quotes the research and practice of many others in this field.
Contented dementia: 24-hour wraparound care for lifelong well-being
- Author:
- JAMES Oliver
- Publisher:
- Vermilion
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 286p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Outlines a new, practical method for managing dementia that will allow both the person with dementia and their carer to maintain a high quality of life throughout every stage of their illness. The SPECAL method (Specialised Early Care for Alzheimer's) described creates links between past memories and the routine activities of daily life in the present. The publication draws on real-life examples and is of relevance for carers, relatives and professionals.
Behavioural disturbance triggers recognition of dementia by family informants
- Authors:
- EUSTACE A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(6), June 2007, pp.574-579.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to determine the frequency for recognition of dementia by carers in a sample of community dwelling elderly people and the factors associated with recognition. People over 65 years with an AGECAT case or subcase organic diagnosis or an MMSE 23 were identified from a database of community dwelling elderly. A psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis of dementia according to ICD-10 criteria interviewed these individuals. Sixty-two community dwelling elderly meeting ICD-10 criteria for dementia whom had reliable informants. Prior to the start of the interview the informant was questioned about whether they felt the patient had memory difficulties and if so whether they had a medical evaluation for their memory problems. A psychiatrist then interviewed the patient and informant to establish whether that patient met ICD-10 criteria for dementia. Basic sociodemographic details were collected and the following assessments were carried out: the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale, the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, the Behave-AD and the Baumgarten Behavioural Disturbance Scale. Univariate and step-wise forward logistic regression analysis were used to examine the factors associated with recognition of memory difficulties. Twenty-nine percent of family informants of people with dementia failed to recognise a problem with their relatives' memory. Where memory difficulties were recognised only 39% of this group received a medical evaluation. Using univariate analysis recognition of memory difficulties by family informants was associated higher levels of behaviour disturbance, greater functional impairment, with increasing cognitive impairment. Using a logistic regression model, to test the independence of these variables, increasing behavioural disturbance was associated with recognition of dementia by family informants. Recognition of memory problems by family members is associated with increasing behavioural disturbance. Even with recognition of dementia, families often fail to seek medical attention. Education of the lay public on the early signs and symptoms of dementia must be a key first step in improving recognition of dementia in the community dwelling elderly.
Memory loss, depression, 'confusion' and dementia
- Author:
- COUNSEL AND CARE
- Publisher:
- Counsel and Care
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 36p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Factsheet for older people and their carers. Information includes why they may experience memory loss, depression and confusion, different types of dementia, what can be done to help older people and carers cope with illness.
A future in the past
- Author:
- VOSS Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 10.6.99, 1999, p.25.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Says that a better understanding of the processes of dementia can help both sufferers and carers.