BACKGROUND: Out-of-home mobility refers to the realization of trips outside the home, by foot or by other means of transportation. Although out-of-home mobility is important for the well-being of older people with cognitive impairment, its importance for their caregivers is not clear. This study aims to clarify the relationship between caregiving burden and out-of-home mobility of care-recipients using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology. METHODS: Seventy-six dyads (care-recipients and caregivers) were recruited from a psychogeriatric center, where they underwent cognitive assessment, followed by psychosocial interviews at home. Care-recipients received GPS tracking kits to carry for a period of four weeks, whenever they left home. Mobility data and diagnostic and psychosocial data were examined in relation to caregiver burden. RESULTS: The strongest predictors of burden were care-recipients' lower cognitive status and more time spent walking out-of-home. An interaction was found between cognitive status and time spent walking in relation to caregiver burden. The relationship between walking and burden was stronger among caregivers of care-recipients with dementia than caregivers of care-recipients with no cognitive impairment or mild cognitive impairment. Care-recipients' behavioral and emotional states were also positively related to caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS: The findings stress the importance of maintaining older persons' out-of-home mobility during cognitive decline.
BACKGROUND: Out-of-home mobility refers to the realization of trips outside the home, by foot or by other means of transportation. Although out-of-home mobility is important for the well-being of older people with cognitive impairment, its importance for their caregivers is not clear. This study aims to clarify the relationship between caregiving burden and out-of-home mobility of care-recipients using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology. METHODS: Seventy-six dyads (care-recipients and caregivers) were recruited from a psychogeriatric center, where they underwent cognitive assessment, followed by psychosocial interviews at home. Care-recipients received GPS tracking kits to carry for a period of four weeks, whenever they left home. Mobility data and diagnostic and psychosocial data were examined in relation to caregiver burden. RESULTS: The strongest predictors of burden were care-recipients' lower cognitive status and more time spent walking out-of-home. An interaction was found between cognitive status and time spent walking in relation to caregiver burden. The relationship between walking and burden was stronger among caregivers of care-recipients with dementia than caregivers of care-recipients with no cognitive impairment or mild cognitive impairment. Care-recipients' behavioral and emotional states were also positively related to caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS: The findings stress the importance of maintaining older persons' out-of-home mobility during cognitive decline.
Authors: P H Robert; A Konig; S Andrieu; F Bremond; I Chemin; P C Chung; J F Dartigues; B Dubois; G Feutren; R Guillemaud; P A Kenisberg; S Nave; B Vellas; F Verhey; J Yesavage; P Mallea Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2013 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Vaisakh Puthusseryppady; Sol Morrissey; Min Hane Aung; Gillian Coughlan; Martyn Patel; Michael Hornberger Journal: JMIR Aging Date: 2022-04-21
Authors: Michelle Takemoto; Jordan A Carlson; Kevin Moran; Suneeta Godbole; Katie Crist; Jacqueline Kerr Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2015-10-30 Impact factor: 3.390