Family caregivers' distress responses to daily behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kohei Kajiwara ◽  
Jun Kako ◽  
Masamitsu Kobayashi ◽  
Hiroko Noto ◽  
Ayako Ogata
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Experiences of Family Caregivers of People with Dementia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110557
Author(s):  
Melissa L. Harris ◽  
Marita G. Titler
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Comparative Methods ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Effective Care ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Although behavioral and psychological symptoms are burdensome for people with dementia and their caregivers, perceptions of family caregivers regarding management of these symptoms are unclear. This study explored the experiences of family caregivers regarding behavioral and psychological symptoms experienced by relatives with dementia, management of these symptoms, and changes in their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative, exploratory approach using constant comparative methods was used; 21 family caregivers were interviewed virtually. The following 10 major themes emerged: (1) Emotional and psychological experiences of caregiver, (2) emotional, psychological, and behavioral responses of person with dementia, (3) cognition of person with dementia, (4) loss, (5) concerns for the future, (6) reliance, (7) learning to caregive, (8) rewarding aspects of caregiving, (9) caregiver perspectives, and (10) care strategies. Caregivers described many challenges to care before and during the pandemic. Acceptable and effective care strategies are needed to promote the well-being of families living with dementia.

scholarly journals “I’ve learned to just go with the flow”: Family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

Dementia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 590-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney A Polenick ◽  
Laura M Struble ◽  
Barbara Stanislawski ◽  
Molly Turnwald ◽  
Brianna Broderick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Background and objectives Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are highly prevalent, stressful, and challenging to manage. Caregivers’ approaches for handling these behaviors have implications for both care partners’ well-being. Yet the specific strategies that caregivers use in their daily management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are relatively unknown. This study used in-depth focus group data to examine family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Design As part of a larger study (NINR R01NR014200), four focus groups were conducted with a total of 26 family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Caregivers were asked to describe the strategies they use to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Data from audio-recorded sessions were transcribed, coded to identify relevant concepts, and reduced to determine major categories. Results Caregivers managed behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia through (1) modifying interactions within the care dyad (e.g., simplifying communication); (2) modifying the care environment (e.g., using written prompts); (3) activity engagement; (4) humor; (5) self-care; and (6) social support. Conclusion Family caregivers manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using strategies to minimize stress and address the needs of both care partners. Caregivers’ own accounts of these approaches reveal a window into their everyday management of difficult behaviors. The present findings generate key information for routine clinical care and targeted interventions to promote caregiver well-being.

scholarly journals Temporal Patterns of Daily Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Throughout the Day

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 53-54
Author(s):  
Caitlin Connelly ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Yin Liu ◽  
Steven Zarit
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Adaptive Intervention ◽  
Adult Day Services ◽  
Lower Reactivity ◽  
Day Services ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Abstract Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are taxing for both the person with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers. Yet, little is known about how BPSD fluctuates throughout the day (i.e., morning, daytime, evening, and night; e.g., sundowning) and how caregivers perceive BPSD at different times of the day. Using 8-day daily diary data from 173 family caregivers whose relatives were using Adult Day Services (ADS), this study investigated temporal patterns of BPSD and caregivers’ stress responses to BPSD throughout the day. Overall, the number of BPSD was highest in the evening, and caregivers’ stress reactivity to BPSD increased throughout the phases of the day (i.e., most stressful at night). However, caregivers showed lower reactivity to BPSD in the mornings and at night on days when the PWD used ADS. Our findings about fluctuations of (caregiver reactions to) BPSD throughout the day suggest target windows for just-in-time adaptive intervention.

scholarly journals FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ RESPONSES TO DAILY BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA: THE MODERATING ROLE OF RELATIONSHIP QUALITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S595-S595
Author(s):  
Richard E Chunga ◽  
Yin Liu ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Steven H Zarit
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Abstract Providing care for persons with dementia (PWD) is frequently regarded as highly stressful, but how caregivers perceive care-related stressors depends on a variety of contexts. Research has demonstrated that relationship quality between the caregiver and receiver – as an important dyadic context – can influence the magnitude of this perceived distress. Using 8-day diary data from 173 family caregivers of PWD (day N = 1,359), this study examined the moderating effect of relationship quality on caregivers’ stress responses to daily behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), comparing within- and between-person effects. Multilevel models suggested differences in the association between BPSD occurrence and perceived distress of BPSD (i.e., negative within-person association, but positive between-person association). However, we found that both associations were moderated by relationship quality; that is, better dyadic relationship quality seemed to be protective against distress at both within- and between-person levels.

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARE CHALLENGE TYPE AND PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES IN FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S916-S916
Author(s):  
Clarissa Shaw ◽  
Kristine N Williams ◽  
Maria Hein ◽  
Carissa Coleman ◽  
Yelena Perkhounkova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Tailored Interventions ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Abstract Enhancing dementia care is a public health priority and supporting family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD) is a critical need. This poster reports the relationships between the types of care challenges reported by family caregivers and their scores on psychosocial measures. Family caregivers (N=83) participating in the FamTechCare clinical trial identified three top priority care challenges and completed a series of measures (i.e., burden, depression, sleep quality, and reaction to dementia behaviors) at baseline. Priority care challenges were classified using the 10-category Technology-supported Dementia Care Typology. Three of the categories (i.e., behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia [BPSD], activities of daily living [ADL], and disease expectations [DE]) were reported by an adequate number of caregivers in order to test relationships with psychosocial measures using the Kruskal-Wallis Test. Caregivers reporting 2 or 3 BPSD challenges had higher burden (p=.007), more depression (p=.022) and worse sleep quality (p=.020) compared to those reporting 0 or 1 care challenges related to BPSD. In comparison, caregivers with 2 or 3 challenges related to DE (e.g., PLWD memory loss) had less burden (p=.008), less depression (p=.030), and better sleep quality (p=.042), compared to those reporting 0 or 1 challenge related to DE. Caregivers identifying 2 or 3 care challenges related to ADLs also reported higher levels of depression (p=.036). Dementia caregivers face vast caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers facing BPSD challenges report greater burden and depression. These results reinforce the need for tailored interventions to assist family caregivers in the managing varied care challenges.

Patient and Caregiver Interplay in Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Family Caregiver’s Experience

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Ah Song ◽  
Myonghwa Park ◽  
Jaewon Park ◽  
Hong Jin Cheon ◽  
Mihyun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

The purpose of this study was to identify family caregivers’ experiences in managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) with particular focus on their interpersonal interactions with patient with dementia. Data were collected through focus-group interviews with 15 family caregivers from three local dementia-support centers located in Seoul. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Three main themes were identified through data analysis: triggers of BPSD, family caregiver’s actions in response to BPSD and patient’s reactions, and the effect of BPSD on family caregivers. Findings demonstrated that BPSD depended on the complex interplay of family caregivers and patients, including their interaction style. This information could help nurses when counseling and educating family caregivers to improve or modify their attitudes and approaches to behavioral symptoms of patients.

scholarly journals Family Caregiver Needs and Preferences for Virtual Training to Manage Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Interview Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/24965 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e24965
Author(s):  
Magaly Ramirez ◽  
Miriana C Duran ◽  
Chester J Pabiniak ◽  
Kelly E Hansen ◽  
Ann Kelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Virtual Training ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Person With Dementia ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Background Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are associated with increased stress, burden, and depression among family caregivers of people with dementia. STAR-Caregivers Virtual Training and Follow-up (STAR-VTF) is adapted from an evidence-based, in-person program that trains family caregivers to manage BPSD. We used a human-centered design approach to obtain feedback from family caregivers about STAR-VTF. The program will be evaluated using a pragmatic randomized trial. Objective The objective of the study was to understand the needs of family caregivers for improving BPSD management and the extent to which caregivers perceived that STAR-VTF could address those needs. Methods Between July and September 2019, we conducted 15 semistructured interviews with family caregivers of people with dementia who receive care at Kaiser Permanente Washington in the Seattle metropolitan area. We identified participants from electronic health records, primarily based on a prescription for antipsychotic medication for the person with dementia (a proxy for caregivers dealing with BPSD). We showed caregivers low-fidelity prototypes of STAR-VTF online self-directed materials and verbally described potential design elements. We obtained caregiver feedback on these elements, focusing on their needs and preferences and perceived barriers to using STAR-VTF. We used a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and aggregated codes to develop themes. Results The idea of a virtual training program for learning to manage BPSD appealed to caregivers. They said health care providers did not provide adequate education in the early disease stages about the personality and behavior symptoms that can affect people with dementia. Caregivers found it unexpected and frustrating when the person with dementia began experiencing BPSD, symptoms they felt unprepared to manage. Accordingly, caregivers expressed a strong desire for the health care organization to offer programs such as STAR-VTF much sooner. Caregivers had already put considerable effort into problem solving challenging behaviors. They anticipated deriving less value from STAR-VTF at that point. Nonetheless, many were interested in the virtual aspect of the training due to the convenience of receiving help from home and the perception that help from a virtual program would be timelier than traditional service modalities (eg, face to face). Given caregivers’ limited time, they suggested dividing the STAR-VTF content into chunks to review as time permitted. Caregivers were interested in having a STAR-VTF provider for additional support in managing challenging behaviors. Caregivers reported a preference for having the same coach for the program duration. Conclusions Caregivers we interviewed would likely accept a virtual training program such as STAR-VTF to obtain information about BPSD and receive help managing it. Family caregivers anticipated deriving more value if STAR-VTF was offered earlier in the disease course.

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