Mary Guerriero Austrom1, Yvonne Yueh-Feng Lu2, Anthony J Perkins3, Malaz Boustani4, Christopher M Callahan4, Hugh C Hendrie5. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Indianapolis, IN, USA Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA mguerrie@iupui.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Indianapolis, IN, USA Department of Science of Nursing Care, Indiana University of School of Nursing. 3. Precision Statistical Consulting, LLC, Brownsburg, IN, USA. 4. Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA IU Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), Indianapolis, IN, USA IU Center for Aging Research, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Caregivers of persons with dementia are stressed. Stressors not related to care recipients' needs impact caregiver outcomes, yet are seldom reported. The purpose of this study was to report the most stressful events experienced by spouse caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer s disease during a 6-month period. METHODS: 31 caregivers completed the Most Stressful Event form, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Revised Memory Behavioral Problem Checklist (R-MBPC). Fisher's exact test and two-sample t-test were used to compare Most Stressful Events between caregivers. ANOVA model tested whether the PHQ-9 and R-MBPC subscales differed by stressor. RESULTS: Caregivers reported no stressors 21.5% of the time, 1-2 stressors 25% of the time, and 3 stressors 53% of the time with 318 stressors reported in total. Care recipient needs (30.2%), caregiver needs (26.7%), and decision-making (16.7%) were the most frequently reported stressors. Using a mixed effects model, there were associations between the Most Stressful Events and depression (p = 0.016), mobility (p = 0.024) and caregiver issues (p = 0.009) subscales of R-MBPC. CONCLUSION: Results can be used to develop targeted intervention and support strategies for spouse caregivers experiencing non-caregiving related stressorsas well as the traditional challenges with caregiving related issues.
BACKGROUND: Caregivers of persons with dementia are stressed. Stressors not related to care recipients' needs impact caregiver outcomes, yet are seldom reported. The purpose of this study was to report the most stressful events experienced by spouse caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer s disease during a 6-month period. METHODS: 31 caregivers completed the Most Stressful Event form, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Revised Memory Behavioral Problem Checklist (R-MBPC). Fisher's exact test and two-sample t-test were used to compare Most Stressful Events between caregivers. ANOVA model tested whether the PHQ-9 and R-MBPC subscales differed by stressor. RESULTS: Caregivers reported no stressors 21.5% of the time, 1-2 stressors 25% of the time, and 3 stressors 53% of the time with 318 stressors reported in total. Care recipient needs (30.2%), caregiver needs (26.7%), and decision-making (16.7%) were the most frequently reported stressors. Using a mixed effects model, there were associations between the Most Stressful Events and depression (p = 0.016), mobility (p = 0.024) and caregiver issues (p = 0.009) subscales of R-MBPC. CONCLUSION: Results can be used to develop targeted intervention and support strategies for spouse caregivers experiencing non-caregiving related stressorsas well as the traditional challenges with caregiving related issues.
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