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caregiver

A person who provides direct support for a disabled individual, usually in the home. Epidemiology: - spouses & adult daughters are most often primary caregivers. - ambulatory disability has the highest prevalence rate in adults > 65 years (22%) thus assistance with ambulation & climbing stairs* is the most likely activity where a caregiver is needed [1] (see disability) * this would assume she has stairs in her home or in her out-of-home activities Notes: - caregiver burden is a stronger predictor of institutionalization than patient characteristics [1] - the presence of a daughter is a strong predictor of continued community living [1] - improving the confidence & comfort of the caregiver is as important as maximizing function of a demented patient in maintaining effective home-based care [2] - caregiver support has a positive impact on - caregiver burden - caregiver depression & impact on daily lives, behaviors [3] - caregiving frustration [3] - caregiver support group of benefit [5] - caregiver support does not effect - caregiver general health - time spent providing care [3] - caregiver support may delay institutionalization of dementia patients (1.5 years) without increasing caregiver burden [1,7] - depression common among caregivers of patients discharged from the ICU after mechanical ventilation [5] - high risk for depression in 67% of caregivers at 1 week, & 43% at 1 year - a caregiver succession plan should be in place if patient likely to outlive caregiver

Related

Caregiver Resource Center caregiver stress (caregiver burden, caregiver burnout)

Specific

caregiver for stroke patient

General

occupation

References

  1. Geriatrics Review Syllabus, American Geriatrics Society, 5th edition, 2002-2004 - Geriatric Review Syllabus, 9th edition (GRS9) Medinal-Walpole A, Pacala JT, Porter JF (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2016 - Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11) Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2022
  2. Gitlin LN et al. A biobehavioral home-based intervention and the well-being of patients with dementia and their caregivers: The COPE randomized trial. JAMA 2010 Sep 1; 304:983. PMID: 20810376
  3. Nichols LO, Martindale-Adams J, Burns R, et al. Translation of a dementia caregiver support program in a health care system--REACH VA. Arch Intern Med 2011; 171(4):353-359. PMID: 21357811 - Widera E, Covinsky KE. Invited Commentary: Fulfilling Our Obligation to the Caregiver: It's Time for Action: Comment on "Translation of a Dementia Caregiver Support Program in a Health Care System--REACH VA" Arch Intern Med 2011;171(4):359-360. PMID: 21357812 - Glasgow RE. Invited Commentary: A model program for a devastating disease: Important content and methods issues in translating research into practice: Comment on "Translation of a Dementia Caregiver Support Program in a Health Care System-REACH VA". Arch Intern Med 2011; 171(4):360-361. PMID: 21357813
  4. Chu H, Yang CY, Liao YH, Chang LI, Chen CH, Lin CC, Chou KR. The effects of a support group on dementia caregivers' burden and depression. J Aging Health. 2011 Mar;23(2):228-41 PMID: 20847363
  5. Cameron JI et al One-Year Outcomes in Caregivers of Critically Ill Patients. N Engl J Med 2016; 374:1831-1841. May 12, 2016 PMID: 27168433 http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1511160
  6. Cassie KM, Sanders S. Familial caregivers of older adults. J Gerontol Soc Work. 2008;50 Suppl 1:293-320. Review. PMID: 18924398
  7. Mittelman MS, Haley WE, Clay OJ, Roth DL. Improving caregiver well-being delays nursing home placement of patients with Alzheimer disease. Neurology. 2006 Nov 14;67(9):1592-9. PMID: 17101889
  8. Herrera JR et al Caring for the Alzheimer Caregiver First During COVID-19 Ann Longterm Care. 2020;28(4):9-10 Not indexed in PubMed https://www.managedhealthcareconnect.com/articles/caring-alzheimer-caregiver-first-during-covid-19
  9. Gupta A The Caregiver. N Engl J Med 2020; 383:2404-2405. Dec 17 PMID: 33314872 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2001881
  10. Keiro Senior Health Care Benefits of a Support Group for Caregivers http://www.keiro.org/caregivers-support-group
  11. Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's: NIH Senior Health http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimerscare/toc.html