Is there a Difference between Family Caregiving of Institutionalized Elders with or without Dementia?

Abstract

Based on the stress and coping model of Lazarus and Folkman, the aim of this comparative study was to determine whether the caregiving experience of the caregivers of an institutionalized demented relative is different from the one of the caregivers whose relative does not suffer from dementia. Five dimensions of the caregiving experience were considered: stressors, cognitive appraisal of the stressors, social support, coping strategies and well-being. The sample consisted of primary caregivers of a demented and a nondemented relative. Results revealed that the caregivers of a demented relative were exposed to more stressors than the caregivers of a nondemented relative. Functional impairment as well as depressive behaviors were appraised as more disturbing. According to MANCOVA analysis, formal and informal social support seems to play a protective role in the psychological distress of the caregivers of a demented relative. There was no difference between the two groups with regard to their coping strategies. Overall, the caregivers of a demented relative seemed to experience some dimensions of caregiving in a different way compared with their counterparts, and the nature of dementia in itself helps to explain this difference.

Caring for a relative with dementia: family caregiver burden

“…It has been suggested that the emotional bond in the caregiver‐care recipient dyad is stronger than physical separation (Chambers et al. 2001) and some caregivers continue to deliver direct care because they perceive this as an expression of love and devotion to patient (Levensque et al. 1999).…”

The relationship between caregiver burden, caregivers’ perceived health and their sense of coherence in caring for elders with dementia

“…1991) and psychological morbidity (Brodaty & Hadzi‐Pavlovic 1990). Caregivers are more likely to use psychotropic drugs (George & Gwyther 1986) and their self‐related health is poorer than that of comparison groups (Grafström et al 1992, Lévesque et al 1999). A problem in home health care for older people is the limited number of family members available for caregiving, (Barnes et al.…”

Designing a polarity therapy protocol: Bridging holistic, cultural, and biomedical models of research

“…Elder care providers in the study region reflect agreement with other longterm care professionals when they suggest that quality of life for patients is based on their ability to remain in the home. Yet even upon institutionalization, the caregiver most often remains essential to the care of the patient, and even as certain stressors are obviated by departure from the home, the caregiver continues to experience an objective burden (Aneshensel, 1995;Whitlach and Feinberg, 1995;Naleppa, 1996;Levesque et al, 1999) that survives as long as the loved one. The physical and emotional demands on the caregiver are paralleled by the on-going experience of loss of affiliative, shared activities between the caregiver and patient (Lynch-Sauer, 1990;Bradley and Cafferty, 2001).…”