|
|
||||||||
Correspondence: Ian McDowell, Department of Epidemiology & Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada. E-mail: mcdowell{at}uottawa.ca.
Decision Editor: Laurence G. Branch, PhD
Purpose: To link changes over 5 years in the health, vital and residential status of very elderly people to changes in their family caregivers' health. Design and Methods:Canadian population-based, longitudinal study including community and institutional residents. From interviews and clinical examinations, 948 people (mean age = 86 years) were classified as demented, frail, or healthy at two points in time. Caregivers reported on the care they provided and their health outcomes. Results: Diagnostic and residential groups of care recipients differed significantly in their level of activity of daily living/instrumental activity of daily living disability (range = 0.2 problems for the healthy group, 1012 in the dementia groups) and in the amount of assistance received; caregiver burden scores were higher for people with dementia in the community than for those in institutions (p < .001). However, these differences did not translate directly into contrasts in caregiver health. Caregivers of healthy elders reported fewer health problems than did caregivers for people with dementia or frailty, but the latter groups did not differ significantly. Death of the care recipient and admission to institutional care did not have a consistent impact on caregiver health. Implications: The relationship between caregiver load and health outcomes is complex and dynamic; treatments that slow the progression of dementia will not necessarily relieve caregiver strain.
Key Words: Alzheimer's disease Caregiver Home care Epidemiology Canada
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
S. Jaglal, R. Cockerill, L. Lemieux-Charles, L. W. Chambers, K. Brazil, and C. Cohen Perceptions of the Process of Care Among Caregivers and Care Recipients in Dementia Care Networks American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, April 1, 2007; 22(2): 103 - 111. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
C. M. Castro, A. C. King, R. Housemann, S. J. Bacak, K. M. McMullen, and R. C. Brownson Rural Family Caregivers and Health Behaviors: Results From an Epidemiologic Survey J Aging Health, February 1, 2007; 19(1): 87 - 105. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
R. Schulz, S. H. Belle, S. J. Czaja, K. A. McGinnis, A. Stevens, and S. Zhang Long-term Care Placement of Dementia Patients and Caregiver Health and Well-being JAMA, August 25, 2004; 292(8): 961 - 967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
|
N. O'rourke, P. Cappeliez, and S. Guindon Depressive Symptoms and Physical Health of Caregivers of Persons with Cognitive Impairment: Analysis of Reciprocal Effects Over Time J Aging Health, November 1, 2003; 15(4): 688 - 712. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
M. Berg-Weger, S. M. Rauch, D. M. Rubio, and S. S. Tebb Assessing the health of adult daughter former caregivers for elders with Alzheimer's disease American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, July 1, 2003; 18(4): 231 - 239. [Abstract] [PDF] |
||||
|
N. O'Rourke and H. A. Tuokko Psychometric Properties of an Abridged Version of the Zarit Burden Interview Within a Representative Canadian Caregiver Sample Gerontologist, February 1, 2003; 43(1): 121 - 127. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
---|
All GSA journals | Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences | Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences |