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Family caregivers of persons with dementia. Experiences of burden, satisfaction and psychosocial intervention.

Andrén, Signe LU (2006)
Abstract
One of the most common diseases occurring in old age groups is dementia. Caring for a relative with dementia poses many challenges for family caregivers and they bear the main responsibility for the persons with dementia living at home. The overall aim of this thesis, which consists of five community-based studies, was to explore experiences of burden and satisfaction among family caregivers (FC) looking after persons with dementia. Implicit in this aim was the assumption that the result of this research would support development of education programs for caregivers of individuals with dementia in the community.



FC of persons with dementia living in either group living care or nursing home still expressed feelings of... (More)
One of the most common diseases occurring in old age groups is dementia. Caring for a relative with dementia poses many challenges for family caregivers and they bear the main responsibility for the persons with dementia living at home. The overall aim of this thesis, which consists of five community-based studies, was to explore experiences of burden and satisfaction among family caregivers (FC) looking after persons with dementia. Implicit in this aim was the assumption that the result of this research would support development of education programs for caregivers of individuals with dementia in the community.



FC of persons with dementia living in either group living care or nursing home still expressed feelings of burden several years after relocation. The caregivers also reported insufficient information and support, and the grown-up children who are low-income earners are those who are affected most ? especially with regard to strain and disappointment.



FC with a higher sense of coherence and fewer symptoms reported significantly less burden. Sense of coherence seems to modify the extent of burden reported among FCs, irrespectively of their health. Stressors as measured on the caregiver burden scale and satisfaction can co-exist and allow assessment of different aspects of the caregiver's situation.



Psychosocial intervention with a clearly defined aim, which combines giving information and holding conversation groups, can have significant positive effects on the burden experienced by FCs of persons with dementia. The best effect of intervention on caregivers in a controlled study design was found early in the progression of dementia. These findings emphasize the importance of identifying FCs early in the caring process, to maximize their well-being. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Popular Abstract in Swedish

När en familjemedlem drabbas av en demenssjukdom påverkas även de övriga



familjemedlemmarna på något sätt. Allt mer vård och omsorg flyttar in i hemmen och de närståendes roll och funktion blir mycket centrala. Syftet med denna doktorsavhandling var att undersöka hur närstående till demenssjuka personer mår, och att planera, genomföra och undersöka effekten av en 5-veckors intervention med efterföljande samtalsgrupp, för att skapa förutsättningar för så lite börda som möjligt och god tillfredsställelse.



Närstående till personer med demenssjukdom på gruppboende och vårdboende upplevde börda lång tid efter inflyttningen. De närstående, uttryckte bristande... (More)
Popular Abstract in Swedish

När en familjemedlem drabbas av en demenssjukdom påverkas även de övriga



familjemedlemmarna på något sätt. Allt mer vård och omsorg flyttar in i hemmen och de närståendes roll och funktion blir mycket centrala. Syftet med denna doktorsavhandling var att undersöka hur närstående till demenssjuka personer mår, och att planera, genomföra och undersöka effekten av en 5-veckors intervention med efterföljande samtalsgrupp, för att skapa förutsättningar för så lite börda som möjligt och god tillfredsställelse.



Närstående till personer med demenssjukdom på gruppboende och vårdboende upplevde börda lång tid efter inflyttningen. De närstående, uttryckte bristande information om demenssjukdom flera år efter inflyttningen. Undersökningen visar att låg inkomst hos närstående, speciellt vuxna barn, är relaterade till högre börda hos närstående.



Närstående med bättre hälsa och högre medelvärde på KASAM (känsla av sammanhang) rapporterade signifikant lägre börda. Studien visade att både börda och tillfredsställelse är vanligt förekommande hos närstående och finns oberoende av varandra.



Psykosocial intervention med efterföljande samtalsgrupp har signifikant positiv effekt på närståendes upplevelse av börda och tillfredsställelse. Ytterligare en faktor som har betydelse för förbättringen är att interventionen kommer tidigt i demensutvecklingen. Resultaten pekar på betydelsen av att identifiera närstående tidigt i sjukdomsprocessen, för att minska på upplevelsen av börda och öka deras tillfredsställelse. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
opponent
  • Professor Grafström, Margareta, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
elderly, Dementia, caregivers, "caregiver burden", Gerontologi, Gerontology, "intervention studies", "socio-economic factors", satisfaction, strain, isolation
pages
242 pages
publisher
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University
defense location
Jubileumsaulan Medicinskt forskningscentrum, Ingång 59, Universitetssjukhuset, MAS Malmö
defense date
2006-02-03 09:00:00
ISBN
91-85481-37-8
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
id
d225cd7b-c03a-4f05-9684-f6a217dc95e3 (old id 546118)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:10:43
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:39:21
@phdthesis{d225cd7b-c03a-4f05-9684-f6a217dc95e3,
  abstract     = {{One of the most common diseases occurring in old age groups is dementia. Caring for a relative with dementia poses many challenges for family caregivers and they bear the main responsibility for the persons with dementia living at home. The overall aim of this thesis, which consists of five community-based studies, was to explore experiences of burden and satisfaction among family caregivers (FC) looking after persons with dementia. Implicit in this aim was the assumption that the result of this research would support development of education programs for caregivers of individuals with dementia in the community.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
FC of persons with dementia living in either group living care or nursing home still expressed feelings of burden several years after relocation. The caregivers also reported insufficient information and support, and the grown-up children who are low-income earners are those who are affected most ? especially with regard to strain and disappointment.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
FC with a higher sense of coherence and fewer symptoms reported significantly less burden. Sense of coherence seems to modify the extent of burden reported among FCs, irrespectively of their health. Stressors as measured on the caregiver burden scale and satisfaction can co-exist and allow assessment of different aspects of the caregiver's situation.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Psychosocial intervention with a clearly defined aim, which combines giving information and holding conversation groups, can have significant positive effects on the burden experienced by FCs of persons with dementia. The best effect of intervention on caregivers in a controlled study design was found early in the progression of dementia. These findings emphasize the importance of identifying FCs early in the caring process, to maximize their well-being.}},
  author       = {{Andrén, Signe}},
  isbn         = {{91-85481-37-8}},
  keywords     = {{elderly; Dementia; caregivers; "caregiver burden"; Gerontologi; Gerontology; "intervention studies"; "socio-economic factors"; satisfaction; strain; isolation}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Department of Health Sciences, Lund University}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  title        = {{Family caregivers of persons with dementia. Experiences of burden, satisfaction and psychosocial intervention.}},
  year         = {{2006}},
}