DEMENTIA CAREGIVING IN RURAL AREAS: SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY-BASED PAID CAREGIVERS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ashida, S; Hejna, E; Robinson, E; Williams, K; Mueller, M
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 291
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: The majority of individuals with dementia are being cared for in-home by family caregivers. These caregivers are at risk of caregiving-related physical, psychological, and social distress, which influences the quality of care provided. Families often collaborate with community-based providers to provide care, however, limited research investigating the roles of these relationships on their well-being exists. Forty-eight family caregivers and twenty-six community-based providers supporting older adults with dementia at home in the state of Iowa participated in a one-time survey regarding their social interactions and well-being. Both family caregivers and providers, on average, reported collaborating with each other "often" (e.g., making care plans/decisions, exchanging information/resources). Accounting for demographic covariates, higher levels of collaboration with a service provider (average of 10 items) were associated with higher family satisfaction with the provider (b=0.32, p=0.037), and higher collaboration with family was associated with higher job satisfaction (b=0.447, p=0.021) and lower depression (CESD: b=-0.43, p=0.040) among providers. Family caregivers who reported receiving caregiving specific emotional support from providers "sometimes, " or more frequently reported better mental health (SF-12 Mental Health: b=0.42, p=0.015) and lower depression (CESD: b=-0.40, p=0.023). Interventions to enhance the relationships between family caregivers and providers, specifically facilitating collaborations in care provision and caregiving-related emotional support, may help improve family caregiver as well as provider well-being. Community-based service agencies tend to focus on physical aspects of caregiving, however, enhancing social relationships between providers and family caregivers may help enhance overall caregiving outcomes that, in turn, can improve the well-being of care recipients.