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This study explores whether religiosity explains racial differences in caregiving burden for a rural sample of dementia family caregivers. Data are from a probability sample of 74 non-Hispanic White and 67 African American dementia caregivers in rural Alabama. SPSS macros for estimating indirect effects in multiple mediator models are used to test the mediation effects of religiosity. White caregivers report higher burden, are less likely to use religious coping, and less likely to engage in organized religion than do African American caregivers. Church attendance is found to significantly (B = -.57, p < .05) mediate the racial differences on caregiving burden (R² = .07). Religious involvement in general, and church attendance in particular, seem to provide both spiritual and social psychological benefits to dementia caregivers. Thus, supplementing formal services with the services provided by religious organizations may be important in rural areas where formal resources are scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explored how male and female family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients differ in their use of formal services and informal support and how religiousness may affect such differences. Methods: Data were from a sample of 720 family caregivers of AD patients who participated in the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Heath (REACH I) study sites in Birmingham, Boston, Memphis, and Philadelphia. Results: Female caregivers were less likely to use in-home services than males (M = 0.83 vs. M = 1.06, p < .01) but reported more use of transportation services (21.6% vs. 12.7%, p < .01) and more use of informal support (M = 13.9 vs. M = 10.7, p < .01). Mediation tests suggested that three measures of religiousness helped explain the relationship between gender and use of formal services and informal support. Discussion: These findings highlight the necessity to assess AD caregivers' religiousness to better understand their circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although proxy reports of activities of daily living (ADLs) are commonly used, especially when the care recipient has dementia, how well these caregiver reports correspond to professionals' ratings is not always clear. In this study, dementia caregivers completed an orally administered version of the Self-Care subscale of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). ADL interactions were videotaped in the home, and independent raters assigned a FIM score to these interactions. An occupational therapist later viewed the videotaped ADLs and assigned FIM scores to those interactions. These three sets of scores were then compared. All possible correlations were significant (n = 21; p ≤.005; rs = .620 to .933; Mdn = .862), and there were no significant differences among ratings obtained from the different sources. These results support earlier conclusions regarding the validity and clinical utility of caregiver proxy ratings of functional ability in elders with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored differences and similarities in the experiences of African American and White family caregivers of dementia patients living in rural Alabama. This cross sectional survey used a caregiving stress model to investigate the interrelationships between caregiving burden, mediators, and outcomes. Random-digit-dialing telephone interviews were used to obtain data on a probability sample of 74 non-Hispanic WhiTe and 67 African American caregivers. White caregivers were more likely to be married and older, used acceptance and humor as coping styles, and had fewer financial problems. African American caregivers gave more hours of care, used religion and denial as coping styles, and were less burdened. The authors have developed a methodology for obtaining a representative sample of African American and White rural caregivers. Further investigations are needed of the interactions between urban/rural location and ethnic/racial backgrounds of dementia caregivers for heuristic and applied reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate psychometric properties and response patterns of the Caregiver Assessment of Function and Upset (CAFU), a 15-item multidimensional measure of dependence in dementia patients and caregiver reaction. Method: 640 families were administered the CAFU (53% White, 43% African American, and 4% mixed race and ethnicity). We created a random split of the sample and conducted exploratory factor analyses on Sample 1 and confirmatory factor analyses on Sample 2. Convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Results: A two-factor structure for functional items was derived, and excellent factorial validity was obtained. Convergent and discriminant validity were obtained for function and upset measures. Differential response patterns for dependence and caregiver upset were found for caregiver race, relationship, and care recipient gender but not for caregiver gender. Discussion: The CAFU is easily administered, reliable, and valid for evaluating appraisals of dependencies and upsetting care areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Recruitment is often the most challenging aspect of research with older persons. Social marketing--applying marketing techniques to influence the behavior of target audiences to improve their welfare--can help researchers identify factors that influence recruitment. Methods: Illustrations of social marketing principles are provided from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health project, a national Alzheimer's caregivers study that targeted ethnic and racial minorities. Results: Social marketing principles--the six Ps of participants, product, price, place, promotion, and partners--provide a theoretical framework for organizing and planning recruitment activities, including developing varying strategies to define the target audience (participants), develop the intervention (product), manage time and trouble (price), target the audience, improve accessibility (place), promote the study, and develop and work with partners. Discussion: Strategies to enhance recruitment are often undertaken without a comprehensive plan. A social marketing plan provides a framework to map out the steps in recruitment that will be needed and to plan for allocations of time, staff, and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine if caregivers of dementia patients can validly report (a) the level of patient activities of daily living (ADL) dependence and (b) the amount of time they spend providing ADL assistance. Design: Seven ADLs were assessed through caregiver report using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and then videotaped. Videotapes were coded using a computer-assisted data collection system that documented the nature and duration of caregiver assistance provided during ADLs. Setting: The study took place in the homes of the caregiver-patient dyads. Subjects: Twenty-one people with dementia and their primary caregivers participated in the study. Main outcome measures: Data analysis examined (a) the degree to which caregiver-reported FIM scores corresponded to FIM scores derived from the observational data and (b) the extent to which caregivers' estimates of ADL assistance time corresponded to the assistance time observed during ADL interactions. Results: For all ADLs, caregiver-reported FIM scores were correlated significantly with observation-derived FIM scores (r[sub s] values ranged from 0.620 to 0.909), and means were similar. Assistance durations were also significantly correlated for some ADLs, but means were significantly different, indicating poor correspondence. Conclusions: Although caregivers of dementia patients can describe the nature of their ADL assistance with reasonable accuracy, they consistently overestimate their ADL assistance time, suggesting that caregive reports of ADL assistance duration be used with caution. Additionally, the degree to which the assistance provided corresponds to the assistance actually needed needs to be addressed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different psychotropic medications were examined for the control of behavior problems associated with dementia in three elderly nursing home residents. A reversal design was used in which the medications were introduced and withdrawn, and their effects were assessed on various resident behaviors using behavioral and motor performance assessments. All medications were effective in decreasing aberrant behaviors, but they also increased sedation in all three subjects. Performance on the motor assessments decreased for all subjects after the introduction of medication and improved after the medication was withdrawn. The results highlight the utility of behavioral assessment strategies for assessing the effects of psychotropic medication on elderly nursing home residents. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Focuses on a study designed to ascertain acceptability ratings for various types of psychotherapies with older adults. Methods of the study; Participants of the study; Case and treatment descriptions; Results of the study.