ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: STRESSORS AND STRATEGIES ASSOCIATED WITH CAREGIVING (ALZHEIMER DISEASE).

Description

The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify stressors perceived by family member caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease as well as coping strategies perceived as useful in ameliorating the identified stressors. Stressors, strategies, and perceived global burden were examined relative to the stages of the illness. The sample population was selected from an Alzheimer's Association in West Texas. A quota sample (n = 15) reflecting caregivers providing care to family members in the three major stages of Alzheimer's disease was recruited. There were five subjects per group. The study involved assessing the family member with Alzheimer's disease as to the stage of the illness; collecting background data on both the caregiver and the patient; asking caregivers to evaluate global burden on a scale of 1 to 10; and finally, requesting the caregiver to respond to a nonstructured interview schedule regarding the stressors and strategies associated with providing care at home to a family member with Alzheimer's disease. The nonstructured portion of the interview was audiotaped for content analysis. Analysis of variance was conducted on the burden measure. A taxonomic structure of common stressors and useful strategies was developed relative to the stages of Alzheimer's disease. Adjusting to the diagnosis is a major stressor in early Alzheimer's disease. During middle-stage Alzheimer's disease, family member caregivers are confronted with a complete role reversal when a parent becomes child-like or the sense of loss of spouse as adult companion. Caregivers of a family member with late Alzheimer's disease face the demands of complete care, but generally find caregiving becomes more predictable and controllable. There were significant differences in caregiver burden among the three groups with burden being most intense in the middle stage of the illness and least intense in the late stage. Knowledge of stressors and strategies can assist nurses in teaching and supporting family caregivers as well as providing direct care to the growing population of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The findings can also be used in future intervention studies related to enhancing caregiver coping and improving the care of patients.

Subjects