The objective of our study was to describe the burden of a sample of 208 live-in/non-live-in caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We analyzed the statistical correlation between Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) and the live-in/non-live-in caregiver status, and between the ''objective burden,'' the cognitive deterioration, functional ability, and psychic and behavioral disorders. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), the live-in groups of caregivers were compared to each subscale and to the total CBI. Living with a patient causes a bigger burden associated to the ''developmental and physical burden,'' which is affected more by the functional impairment than by the cognitive-behavioral aspect. Understanding the aspects of this burden in the initial-intermediate phase of the disease and being able to monitor it over time could contribute to improving the interventions already in place, which affect burden, stress, and quality of life of caregivers and their sick family members.
The objective of our study was to demonstrate that living with a person affected by mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease can lead to an increased perception of the caregiver's burden using the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). The sample consisted of 153 dyads, caregiver-patient. At baseline, a greater perception of the caregiver's burden was observed in the live-in caregivers. A further increase in the total burden of the live-in caregivers was noticed at the 6-month follow-up. More specifically, with the inclusion of correction factors such as the caregiver's age and the CBI subscales at baseline, the social and emotional burden becomes statistically significant (P < .001). The present paper confirms our hypothesis that live-in caregivers perceive a greater burden than nonlive-in, and this difference increases further after 6 months. The difference in involvement between live-in and nonlive-in caregivers could be the foundation to tailor more specific interventions.
Innovative technologies can support older adults with or without disabilities, allowing them to live independently in their environment whilst monitoring their health and safety conditions and thereby reducing the significant burden on caregivers, whether family or professional. This paper discusses the design of a study protocol to evaluate the acceptance, usability, and efficiency of the SAVE system, a custom-developed information technology-based elderly care system. The study will involve older adults (aged 65 or older), professional and lay caregivers, and care service decision-makers representing all types of users in a care service scenario. The SAVE environmental sensors, smartwatches, smartphones, and Web service application will be evaluated in people’s homes situated in Romania, Italy, and Hungary with a total of 165 users of the three types (cares, elderly, and admin). The study design follows the mixed method approach, using standardized tests and questionnaires with open-ended questions and logging all the data for evaluation. The trial is registered to the platform ClinicalTrials.gov with the registration number NCT05626556. This protocol not only guides the participating countries but can be a feasibility protocol suitable for evaluating the usability and quality of similar systems.
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