2. » Abstract
» This paper investigates existing articles that report findings on the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on
caregivers. It provides known disadvantages as well as caregiver training methods; the articles differ in
caregiver challenges. Howcroft (2004) found that caregivers experience a great deal of burden upon accepting
this responsibility. Morano (2003) found that caregivers experienced decreased life satisfaction. Sanders &
Adams (2003) found that a significant number of caregivers experience high levels of grief. Alternatively;
Hayslip, Han, & Anderson, (2008) found that caregivers who “received social support from others reported
less depression and somatic anxiety and more life satisfaction. This paper provides data on the topic that will
strengthen the existing data. The data provided in this paper will inform caregivers about the known
disadvantages of accepting a caregiver role. Educating the caregiver prior to accepting a caregiver role will be
beneficial to the caregiver and their family in that they are prepared for the possible drawbacks the role could
cause.
3. » Alzheimer's disease has devastating effects on patients suffering with the disease. The topic that is less
likely to come up in discussion is the affect of Alzheimer's disease on caregivers. Caregivers are the
caretakers of patients suffering with this disease, and can range from hospital facilities to family members.
The area that I will focus on is the effects of Alzheimer's disease on caregivers, more specifically, family
members that are caregivers.
» Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease that affects the Central Nervous System. The
disease is a slow progression of death in brain function. Since the progression of the disease is slow, an
individual may not notice any sudden change in himself or herself or a family member. In the early
stage, symptoms are passed off as an indication of aging. Aging is the natural response, as the common age of
onset is sixty. However, there are rare cases where onset is between the ages of forty and fifty. In the later
stage of Alzheimer's disease, individuals begin to experience worsened symptoms ranging from memory loss
to the ability to control bodily functions.
4. The majority of the published research on the topic focuses
on four main areas of concern for caregivers of
Alzheimer’s patients.
» Stress
» Sleep problems
» Grief
» Depression
6. » Howcroft (2004) examined the challenges caregivers face when
caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Howcroft found
that caregivers experience a great deal of burden when faced with
providing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. “The role
of the caregiver can be detrimental to the physical, mental and
financial health of a caregiver (Howcroft, 2004)”.
7. » Morano (2003), found that decreased life satisfaction on the part of
the caregiver can induce feelings of stress and depression. According to
Morano introducing an intervention on the on the part of the caregiver
may increase life satisfaction as well as “empower the caregiver, and
improve their physical wellbeing (Morano, 2003)”.
8. » Sanders & Adams (2003) found that a significant number of caregivers
experience high levels of grief. According to Sanders & Adams, “Grief is a
significant predictor of increased depressive symptoms (Sanders &
Adams, 2003)”. More importantly, symptoms of grief are often mistaken
for symptoms of depression. (Sanders & Adams, 2003) Additionally, the
stages of grief are intertwined with the stages of the disease; feelings of
grief are more intense during the middle stages of the disease where the
patient no longer recognizes the caregiver. (Sanders & Adams, 2003)
9. » Hayslip, Han, & Anderson, (2008) found that caregivers who “received social
support from others reported less depression and somatic anxiety and more life
satisfaction than those who perceived less social support (Hayslip, Han, & Anderson
2008)”. Additionally, it was noted that introverted individuals in the role of caregiver
experienced more depression symptoms than their counter part, an extroverted
individuals in the role of caregiver. (Hayslip, Han, & Anderson 2008) Which indicates
that being vocal about issues and concerns is beneficial for caregivers.
10. » Sleep problems may be a result of grief, depression, stress, or concern about the
patient leaving the home while the caregiver is sleeping. A study conducted by Journal
of Nursing Scholarship, (2010) explores the idea that implementing a monitoring device
in the home of the caregiver may relieve stress, and allow the caregiver to achieve longer
sleep periods without waking. The study found that the implementation of the
monitoring device did not produce any significant change in the caregiver’s sleep habits.
The study also concluded that the caregiver’s sleep problems were likely due to other
factors in the caregiver’s life.
12. » In conclusion, the research indicates that caregivers face several disadvantages including sleep
problems, stress, depression and grief. Counseling and interventions can benefit caregivers in that
they may provide productive methods that may increase the overall life satisfaction of the caregiver. It
is important that the caregiver receives training courses prior to entering into a caregiver role; training
courses will educate the caregiver on potential issues involved with the perspective role.
» The research reviewed in this paper can benefit the known data on the topic because it
provides methods to improve the life of caregivers and their family members. It also provides
examples of known disadvantages of accepting a caregiver role. I think it would be most beneficial to
a prospective caregiver and an Alzheimer’s patient if the caregiver were to evaluate their current life
versus that of adding the care of an individual with Alzheimer’s disease. They may find that the
outcome is not conducive to their current style of living and concede to allowing a more appropriate
member of the family to take on the responsibility of caregiver to ensure the proper care for the
individual with the disease.
14. » Akpınar, B., Küçükgüçlü, Ö., & Yener, G. (2011). Effects of gender on burden among caregivers of
Alzheimer’s patients. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(3), 248-254.
» Chiung-Yu Huang; Sousa, V. D., Shao-Jen Perng, Mei-Yi Hwang, Chun-Ching Tsai, Mei-Huang Huang, &
Shu-Ying Yao. (2009). Stressors, social support, depressive symptoms and general health status of
Taiwanese caregivers of persons with stroke or Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 8 (4),
502-511.
» Hayslip, B., Han, G., & Anderson, C. L. (2008). Predictors of Alzheimer's disease caregiver depression
and burden: What non-caregiving adults can learn from active caregivers. Educational Gerontology, 34
(11), 945-969.
» Howcroft, D. (2004). Alzheimer's disease: Caring for the carers. Mental Health Practice, 7 (8), 31-37.
» Morano, C. L. (2003). Appraisal and coping: Moderators or mediators of stress in
Alzheimer's disease caregivers? Social Work Research, 27(2), 116.
» Sanders, S., & Adams, K. B. (2005). Grief reactions and depression in caregivers of individuals
with Alzheimer's disease: Results from a pilot study in an urban setting. Health & Social Work, 30(4),
287-295.
» Sanders, S., Ott, C. H., Kelber, S. T., & Noonan, P. (2008). The experience of high levels of grief
in caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Death Studies, 32(6), 495-523
15. » Skinner, K. (2009). Nursing interventions to assist in decreasing stress in caregivers of
Alzheimer’s patients. ABNF Journal, 20(1), 22-24.
» Sørensen, L. V., Waldorff, F. B., & Waldemar, G. (2008). Early counselling and support
for patients with mild Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers: A qualitative study on
outcome. Aging & Mental Health, 12(4), 444-450.
» Vellone, E., Piras, G., Talucci, C., Cohen, M. Z. (2008). Quality of life for caregivers of
people with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 61(2), 222-231.
Notas del editor
Title
This topic is very interesting to me because I have had limited experience with caregivers. In that time I noticed that most of them were always sad, irritated, or angry. This observation made me wonder about the causes of these emotions, and how that related to AD.
The overwhelming majority of research focuses on depression because of caregiver responsibilities.
Introducing family counseling into a situation involving the caregiver’s immediate family may facilitate communication and improved mood in all who are involved in the care of the patient.
Literature Review
The financial burden faced by caregivers may cause stress to the caregiver. This stress could be worsened by the caregiver’s obligation to their immediate family (i.e. husband, wife, or children).
Considering that most caregivers are family members, it is logical to assume that performing caregiver roles may cause difficulty or strain on existing relationships and obligations.
Stress experienced by a caregiver could lead to feelings of depression or grief. Grief is not uncommon in caregiver roles, especially when you consider that they are watching the deterioration of their loved one.
Depression could be the result of the constant financial burden coupled with the grief of witnessing the deterioration of their loved one.
Upon accepting the responsibility of providing care for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease caregivers face many disadvantages, yet sleep is not a problem.
Conclusion
Conclusion, research really points toward depression, and all of the inducers of depression. An individual considering this role should research the expectations of a caregiver.