Effects of Adult Day Care on Daily Stress of Caregivers: a Within-person Approach

Overview

Journal J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci

Specialties Geriatrics
Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2011 Jun 7

PMID 21642593

Citations 41

Authors

Steven H Zarit

Kyungmin Kim

Elia E Femia

David M Almeida

Jyoti Savla

Peter C M Molenaar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Unlabelled: OBJECTIVES. This article examined exposure to and appraisal of care-related stressors associated with use of adult day services (ADS) by family caregivers of individuals with dementia.

Methods: Using a within-person withdrawal design (A-B-A-B), we compared caregivers' exposure to and appraisal of behavior problems on days their relative attended and did not attend ADS. Participants were 121 family caregivers enrolling a relative with dementia in an ADS program. Daily assessments were obtained prior to the person's attending ADS for the first time and after 1 and 2 months of attendance on days the person attended and did not attend ADS.

Results: Total exposure to stressors and stress appraisals decreased significantly over time on ADS days compared with non-ADS days. Most of this difference was accounted by the time the person with dementia was away from the caregiver, but there were also significant reductions in behavioral problems during the evening and improved sleep immediately following ADS use. DISCUSSION. ADS use lowered caregivers' exposure to stressors and may improve behavior and sleep for people with dementia on days they have ADS. The study highlights how a within-person design can identify the effects of an intermittent intervention, such as ADS.

Citing Articles

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