Medical Comorbidities of Dementia: Links to Caregivers' Emotional Difficulties and Gains

Abstract

OBJECTIVES To evaluate how eight major medical comorbidities of dementia (arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, lung disease, osteoporosis, and stroke) are associated with caregivers' perceptions of emotional caregiving difficulties and caregiving gains (ie, benefits or rewards from the care role). DESIGN Nationally representative cross‐sectional surveys of community‐dwelling persons living with dementia (PLWDs) and their co‐resident family caregivers in the United States. SETTING The 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. PARTICIPANTS Total of 356 co‐resident family caregivers of community‐dwelling PLWDs. MEASUREMENTS Caregivers' sociodemographic and health characteristics, caregiving stressors, emotional caregiving difficulties, caregiving gains, and chronic health conditions of PLWDs. RESULTS Caregivers most commonly cared for a PLWD with arthritis (65.5%), followed by hypertension (64.9%), diabetes (30.1%), stroke (28.8%), osteoporosis (27.1%), heart disease (23.3%), cancer (21.5%), and lung disease (17.2%). Logistic regressions revealed that caregivers were 2.63 and 2.32 times more likely to report higher than median emotional caregiving difficulties when PLWDs had diagnoses of diabetes and osteoporosis, respectively, controlling for caregiver sex, relationship to the PLWD (spouse vs non‐spouse), educational attainment, self‐rated health, and assistance with activities of daily living and medical care activities. Caregivers were also 2.10 times more likely to report lower than median caregiving gains when PLWDs had a diagnosis of osteoporosis. CONCLUSION Comorbid health conditions among PLWDs have distinct implications for caregiving outcomes. Clinical care and interventions to improve the well‐being of both care dyad members should support caregivers in managing medical comorbidities of dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:609–613, 2020

2021 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures

“…Many people with dementia have co‐occurring chronic conditions, such as hypertension or arthritis. A national study of caregivers of people with dementia living with additional chronic conditions found that caregivers of people with dementia who had a diagnosis of diabetes or osteoporosis were 2.6 and 2.3 times more likely, respectively, to report emotional difficulties with care compared with caregivers of people with dementia who did not have these co‐occurring conditions 422 …”

2022 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures

“…A9 diabetes or osteoporosis were 2.6 and 2.3 times more likely, respectively, to report emotional difficulties with care compared with caregivers of people with dementia who did not have these co-occurring conditions. 463 Depression and mental health.…”

“…Many people with dementia have co‐occurring chronic conditions, such as hypertension or arthritis. A national study of caregivers of people with dementia living with additional chronic conditions found that caregivers of people with dementia who had a diagnosis of diabetes or osteoporosis were 2.6 and 2.3 times more likely, respectively, to report emotional difficulties with care compared with caregivers of people with dementia who did not have these co‐occurring conditions 463 …”

Are We All the Same When Faced with an Ill Relative? A Person-Oriented Approach to Caring Activities and Mental Health in Emerging Adult Students

“…We can assume that these kinds of activities are easier for emerging adult students who live with the ill/disabled relative. In addition, caring for a relative with comorbidities brings a risk of emotional difficulties [63] and is associated with reduced social connectedness [64]. The higher psychological distress score for emerging adult students with the emotional care pattern can therefore be explained by both the nature of the caring activity, the living arrangements, and the relative's type of illness/disability.…”