This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of using a variety of modalities to deliver caregiver support to a group of largely older, rural, spousal caregivers of veterans with dementia. The potential for reducing isolation for caregivers capable of receiving this intervention through the Internet is a promising finding.
The literature examining issues of caregiver stress, burden,or depression has focused on the stress-process model of caregiving, which posits that there are characteristics inherent in dementia and in the course of caregiving for a person with dementia that can cause stress in the caregiver's life. A more recent literature has emerged that argues that issues of loss and grief play a significant role ina caregiver's ability to cope with the stressors of caregiving. This article reviews the caregiver stress and grief literatures,and proposes a conceptual model of dementia caregiving that outlines pathways of stress and grief in dementia caregiving. Issues specific to caregiver grief are proposed for future research and intervention design.
The high level of clinical significance suggests that CGGT participants were effectively treated for CG. This study offers evidence that CGGT holds promise for treatment of CG in older adults and merits inquiry in other populations.
The current study examined factors related to older adults' perceptions of Internet use. Three hundred ninety five older adults participated in the study. The factor analysis revealed four factors perceived by older adults as critical to their Internet use: social connection, self-efficacy, the need to seek financial information, and the need to seek health information. Key differences were found between previous research and the factors extracted in this study. The regression analysis demonstrated that variables like health condition, financial status, computer experience, and life satisfaction significantly predict, at various levels, factors perceived by the older adults to affect Internet use. The significance of the study as well as its implications for research and practice are discussed. Suggestions are made for future research and practice.
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