A systematic review of systematic reviews of needs of family caregivers of older adults with dementia

Abstract

Background and Objective: Family caregivers provide vital assistance to older adults living with dementia. An accurate assessment of the needs of caregivers supports the development and provision of appropriate solutions to address these needs. This review of systematic reviews analyzes and synthesizes the needs identified by family caregivers. Method:We conducted a systematic review of systematic reviews using the AMSTAR guideline. Electronic databases were searched for systematic reviews on the needs of caregivers in the context of dementia using a combination of keywords and medical subject headings. Records resulting from the search were screened by 2 reviewers. Data on the needs of caregivers were extracted from the articles and analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach.Results: Out of the 17 potentially eligible systematic reviews obtained initially, 6 met the inclusion criteria. In total, 20 main needs were identified in the reviews included in this study. The need for information and social support were prominent in this review. Factors such as gender, resources available to the caregiver and the care recipient's health status may influence caregivers' needs. Conclusion:Interventions can be tailored towards addressing the most prominent needs of caregivers such as adequate information and resources and available programs may further accommodate and offer need-tailored support to them.

Applying Participatory Design Mixed-Methods Approaches to Refine Twitter-Based Social Support Interventions for African Americans and Hispanic Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

“…This is what the caregivers need"). Future studies are needed to explore further the opposite results from the quantitative survey and in-depth qualitative interview on emotional support messages [2,3,5].…”

“…Because of structural and socio-economic disadvantages, racial and ethnic minority dementia caregivers suffer more from social isolation, loneliness, poor health status, and poor quality of life [1]. Although virtual interventions to provide social and physical activity support, have become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, what makes such an intervention effective remains largely unknown [2,3]. The expansion of social media use among underserved populations, particularly Twitter, can potentially provide social and physical support for underserved dementia caregivers [3].…”

The intersection of social determinants of health and family care of people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A public health opportunity

“…Systematic reviews consistently find that dementia caregivers need help and support from others throughout the care provision process 24,25 . However, close to four in 10 dementia caregivers in the United States provide help without additional support 1 .…”

Characterizing Caregiver Roles and Conflict in Health Management Support to Older People With Multiple Chronic Conditions

“…Similarly, most caregiver research examines caregiving in cases of dementia or serious disability (Atoyebi et al, 2022; Choo et al, 2022; Corry et al, 2015; Peacock et al, 2017). Few studies examine caregiver experiences to those with MCCs without comorbid dementia or severe disability, despite that these older adults may have different needs and that an MCC without dementia or serious disability is more common (Aarts et al, 2015; Ben Hassen et al, 2022; Koyanagi et al, 2018).…”