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Comparing perspectives of family caregivers and healthcare professionals regarding caregiver burden in dementia care: results of a mixed methods study in a rural setting
- Source :
- Age and Ageing
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press, 2019.
-
Abstract
- BackgroundPersons with dementia (PwD) need support to remain in their own homes as long as possible. Family caregivers, homecare nurses and general practitioners (GPs) play an important role in providing this support, particularly in rural settings. Assessing caregiver burden is important to prevent adverse health effects among this population. This study analysed perceived burden and needs of family caregivers of PwD in rural areas from the perspectives of healthcare professionals and family caregivers.MethodsThis was a sequential explanatory mixed methods study that used both questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaires measuring caregiver burden, quality of life and nursing needs were distributed to the caregivers; health professionals received questionnaires with adjusted items for each group. Additionally, in-depth qualitative interviews were carried out with eight family caregivers.ResultsThe cross-sectional survey population included GPs (n = 50), homecare nurses (n = 140) and family caregivers (n = 113). Healthcare professionals similarly assessed the psychosocial burden and stress caused by behavioural disturbances as most relevant. Psychological stress, social burden and disruptive behaviour (in that order) were regarded as the most important factors from the caregivers’ perspective. It was found that 31% of caregivers reported permanent or frequent caregiver overload. Eight themes related to caregiver burden emerged from the subsequent interviews with caregivers.ConclusionsProfessional support at home on an hourly basis was found to be highly relevant to prevent social isolation and compensate for lack of leisure among caregivers of PwD. Improvement of interprofessional dementia-related education is needed to ensure high-quality primary care.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Rural Population
Aging
medicine.medical_specialty
Health Personnel
Population
older people
Interviews as Topic
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Quality of life (healthcare)
general practitioners
Surveys and Questionnaires
rural setting
Medicine
Dementia
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Social isolation
education
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
education.field_of_study
caregiver burden
Health Services Needs and Demand
030504 nursing
business.industry
Family caregivers
homecare nurses
General Medicine
Caregiver burden
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Cross-Sectional Studies
Caregivers
Family medicine
Quality of Life
Female
Geriatrics and Gerontology
medicine.symptom
Rural area
0305 other medical science
business
Psychosocial
Needs Assessment
Research Paper
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14682834 and 00020729
- Volume :
- 49
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Age and Ageing
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....161ac930cdfc0d32f421a4ded2581f91