Examining the Influence of Family Dynamics on Quality of Care by Informal Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer's Dementia in Argentina

Overview

Journal Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Neurology

Date 2015 Apr 1

PMID 25824253

Citations 9

Authors

Ivan Panyavin

Michael A Trujillo

Silvina Victoria Peralta

Miriam E Stolfi

Eliana Morelli

Paul B Perrin

Javier Pena Lasa

Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the pattern of family dynamics of Argentinian individuals with dementia that most heavily influences the quality of care provided by family caregivers (CGs).

Method: One hundred and two CGs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease in Argentina participated in this study. The majority (75%) were female, with an average age of 57.8 years (standard deviation = 13.5) and had spent a median of 48 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 36.00-60.00) providing care to their family member with dementia, devoting a median of 60 hours (IQR: 50.00-80.00) per week to these duties. Caregivers completed Spanish versions of instruments assessing their family dynamics and quality-of-care provision.

Results: Hierarchical regression analyses suggested that higher quality of informal care (Provide and Respect) was related to greater levels of empathy and reduced levels of overall dysfunction in CGs' families. Higher quality of care-Provide was also related to shorter duration of time (in months) spent providing care.

Conclusion: Dementia CG interventions in Latino populations would likely benefit from addressing difficulties experienced when providing care for a prolonged period of time, as well as programming or techniques to improve family dynamics, especially family empathy and general functioning, given the strong reciprocal influence of these factors on CG quality of care.

Citing Articles

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