Research Abstract: Carers

Title: Caregiver objective burden and assessments of patient-centered, family-focused care for frail elderly veterans.
Author: Julia Hannum ROSE et al
Reference: Gerontologist, 47(1), February 2007, pp21-33

Abstract: There is a growing consensus that quality of care for frail elders should include family and be evaluated in terms of patient-centered, family-focused care (PCFFC). Family caregivers are in a unique and sometimes sole position to evaluate such care. In the context of caring for physically frail elders, this study examined the extent to which objective burden was associated with caregiver perceptions of PCFFC and the extent to which it mediated the influence of other variables on perceptions of PCFFC. In a study of frail elderly veterans receiving care in US Department of Veterans Affairs ambulatory primary care clinics, informal caregivers assessed quality of care with 13 questions. The findings support recommendations for conducting caregiver assessments as part of routine care and highlight the importance of measuring objective burden and expectations for PCFFC in assisting physically frail elders. Primary care providers will require additional training in order to effectively implement and translate such caregiver assessments into clinical practice improvement.

Title: Carers Assessment of Difficulties Index (CADI): psychometric properties for use with carers of people with dementia.
Author: GM CHARLESWORTH, XM TZIMOULA, SP NEWMAN
Reference: Aging and Mental Health, 11(2), March 2007, pp218-225

Abstract: Burden is a commonly recognised phenomenon in family caring. The Carers Assessment of Difficulties Index (CADI) was developed as a clinical tool for assessing the multiple dimensions of carer burden. It has been used with several caring cohorts, but its psychometric properties have not been explored specifically with carers of people with dementia. The 30-item CADI was administered to 232 carers of people with dementia in England. The psychometric properties were examined, including descriptive data, a principal components analysis (PCA), and a reliability analysis on the resultant components. All items were experienced by some participants, but no item was experienced by all. An eight- factor solution from the PCA explained 59% of the variance. Eight subscales were established with good internal consistency. It is concluded that the CADI is suitable for both clinical and research use with carers of people with dementia.

Title: Perceived stigma and depression among caregivers of patients with bipolar disorder.
Author: Deborah A PERLICK et al
Reference: British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(6), June 2007, pp535-536

Abstract: This study investigates the associations between perceived stigma, depressive symptoms and coping among caregivers of people with bipolar disorder. Caregivers of 500 people with DSM-IV bipolar disorder responded to measures of these constructs at study entry. Patients’ clinical and functional status were evaluated within 30 days of the caregiver assessment. Perceived stigma was positively associated with caregiver depressive symptoms, controlling for patient status and socio-demographic factors. Social support and avoidance coping accounted for 63% of the relationship between caregiver stigma and depression. Results suggest that caregivers’ perceptions of stigma may negatively affect their mental health by reducing their coping effectiveness.