Baby boomer caregiver and dementia caregiving: findings from the National Study of Caregiving

Abstract

Background: previous studies have well documented the characteristics of baby boomers but less is known about the experiences of boomer caregivers (CGs) of people with dementia. Objective: the purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of boomer CGs of people with dementia with those of boomer CGs for people without dementia and to ascertain factors associated with outcomes. Design: we selected baby boomer CGs from the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) with 650 primary boomer CGs (138 CGs of people with dementia and 512 CGs of people without dementia). Methods: the Stress Process Model (SPM) was used to examine the effects of resources (the use of paid help and informal support) and stressors ( primary: level of CG care activities and interrupted sleep; secondary: strain of caregiving on work, other care and social activities) on CGs' down, depressed or hopeless feelings and self-perceived general health. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare SPM domain differences and ordinary least-square multiple regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of CGs' outcomes. Results: high blood pressure and arthritis were the most prevalent chronic diseases in both groups. Boomer CGs of people with dementia reported providing more help with daily activities, higher level of caregiving and social activity conflict, experiencing more interrupted sleep and more down, depressed or hopeless feelings than CGs of people without dementia. Different factors predicted boomer CGs' outcomes. Conclusion: the current results yield important information about the considerable differences between two baby boomer CG groups within the caregiving experiences. The findings highlight the need to provide tailored interventions to boomer CGs to help them cope with caregiving stress to improve their physical and mental health.

Quality of Life on the Views of Older Family Carers of People with Dementia

“…Another highly relevant theme relating to older family carers' QoL was the feeling of being limited in terms of their own interests, which is confirmed by the literature (Dilworth- Anderson, 2015;Lavela & Ather, 2010). This can lead to loneliness and limited social networks resulting in isolation and has been considered a strong predicting factor of low QoL levels in older carers (Anna K. Ekwall et al, 2005).…”

“…Several research studies with family carers have also demonstrated how physical demands may have a high impact on carers' health and well-being (Dilworth- Anderson, 2015;Laks, Goren, Dueñas, Novick, & Kahle-Wrobleski, 2016;Steptoe et al, 2015). This is sometimes due to other co-morbidities (McCarron, Gill, McCallion, & Begley, 2005), which generate need for complex care in older carers (Samuelsson, Annerstedt, Elmståhl, Samuelsson, & Grafström, 2001).…”

Caregivers as Therapeutic Agents in Dementia Care

“…In the United States, an estimated 15 million families provide some level of care to people with dementia (Alzheimer's Association, 2014). Dementia care givers spend more time in caregiving, have more care responsibilities, and report greater objective (e.g., financial burdens, time spent in daily care routines) and subjective burdens (emotional upset and distress) than caregivers of older adults without cognitive impairment (Alzheimer's Association, 2014;18: 534;Bertrand, Fredman, & Saczynski, 2006;Moon, & Dilworth-Anderson, 2014;Ory, Hoffman, Yee, Tennstedt, & Schulz, 1999).…”

Need for Resourcefulness Training for Women Caregivers of Elders with Dementia

“…The incidence of dementia increases substantially after age 75 and the incidence of dementia is expected to triple by 2050 (Prince, Guerchet, & Prina, 2013). More than 15 million informal caregivers provide care to elders with dementia (Moon & Dilworth-Anderson, 2015). These unpaid caregivers are usually family members, and 65% are women (Bouldin & Andresen, 2010).…”