Problems of Mentally III Elderly As Perceived by Patients, Families, and Clinicians

Spousal caregivers of dementia victims: longitudinal changes in immunity and health.

“…Family members' ratings can provide reliable data on dementia patients' functioning (25). The Blessed…”

Phases of Change in the Patient with Alzheimer's Dementia: A Conceptual Dimension for Defining Health Care Management

“…Often, however, patients, as well as relatives and doctors, falsely attribute these changes to the normal aging process, problems at work, stress, or other life events. The results of one study 14 suggest that family members are more accurate than patients in identifying the severity of problems, and that patients are more likely to underestimate or deny their problems.…”

The relationship between health and social support in caregiving wives as perceived by significant others

“…., tain tbe care of tbe demented elderly person at bome determines wbetber tbe older person remains m tbe community Understanding family processes lnberent in caregivmg is or IS institutionalized (Worcester & Quaybagen 1983, of growing importance m caregiving researcb Caregiving Wngbt 1992) Otber family members' willingness to back families are composed of individuals wbo bave made great up efforts of tbe spouses may also be instrumental in mam-sacnfices m order to make a pubbc, long-term commitment taming tbeir bealtb, tbereby keeping tbe older impaired to fulfill tbe needs of a family member More researcb is member out of institutions needed about bow family processes are mobilized to seek Researcb suggests tbat otber family members are genu-belp in order to meet tbe needs of tbe cwegiver, tbereby melymterestedm tbe welfare oftbeir impaired older mem-keeping tbe person witb dementia at bome Increased bers (Reifler et al 1981) However, otber family members understanding about bow and wben significant otbers may believe tbat tbe caregiver is able to manage care witb-mobilize to meet tbe pnvate needs of a pnmary caregiver may enhance understanding and development of mter-Correspondence Propssor KM Robinson, University of Louisville, School ventions to belp tbe caregivmg family Some elements of Nursing, Louisvilh, Kentucky 40292, USA of tbe caregiving Situation can be imderstood only by knowing the mdividual percepbons of significant others about the relationship between health and social support in caregiving wives Although the caregivmg literature is extensive, very little IS known about the help-seeking processes of older caregivmg famihes Most studies have mcluded perceptions only firom the perspective of the pninary caregiver, not fi^m the viewpomt of other persons familiar with the caregivmg situation This study explores the relationship between health and social support of those wives who give care to husbands with dementia In particular, a close family member or friend's view of the carer's health and support networks is mcluded The significant other's perceptions about the relationship between the carer's health and social network may be a strong determinant of wben the significant other identifies a problem and begins to provide more help and support to the wife caregiver…”