Abstract
Background and objectives: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are highly prevalent, stressful, and challenging to manage. Caregivers’ approaches for handling these behaviors have implications for both care partners’ well-being. Yet the specific strategies that caregivers use in their daily management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are relatively unknown. This study used in-depth focus group data to examine family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Design: As part of a larger study (NINR R01NR014200), four focus groups were conducted with a total of 26 family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Caregivers were asked to describe the strategies they use to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Data from audio-recorded sessions were transcribed, coded to identify relevant concepts, and reduced to determine major categories. Results: Caregivers managed behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia through (1) modifying interactions within the care dyad (e.g., simplifying communication); (2) modifying the care environment (e.g., using written prompts); (3) activity engagement; (4) humor; (5) self-care; and (6) social support. Conclusion: Family caregivers manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using strategies to minimize stress and address the needs of both care partners. Caregivers’ own accounts of these approaches reveal a window into their everyday management of difficult behaviors. The present findings generate key information for routine clinical care and targeted interventions to promote caregiver well-being.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Dementia |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- behavioral management
- caregiver stress and coping
- family caregiving
- neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia
- qualitative analysis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science
- Social Sciences(all)
Cite this
“I’ve learned to just go with the flow” : Family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. / Polenick, Courtney A.; Struble, Laura M.; Stanislawski, Barbara; Turnwald, Molly; Broderick, Brianna; Gitlin, Laura N; Kales, Helen C.
In: Dementia, 01.01.2018.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - “I’ve learned to just go with the flow”
T2 - Family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
AU - Polenick, Courtney A.
AU - Struble, Laura M.
AU - Stanislawski, Barbara
AU - Turnwald, Molly
AU - Broderick, Brianna
AU - Gitlin, Laura N
AU - Kales, Helen C.
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Background and objectives: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are highly prevalent, stressful, and challenging to manage. Caregivers’ approaches for handling these behaviors have implications for both care partners’ well-being. Yet the specific strategies that caregivers use in their daily management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are relatively unknown. This study used in-depth focus group data to examine family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Design: As part of a larger study (NINR R01NR014200), four focus groups were conducted with a total of 26 family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Caregivers were asked to describe the strategies they use to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Data from audio-recorded sessions were transcribed, coded to identify relevant concepts, and reduced to determine major categories. Results: Caregivers managed behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia through (1) modifying interactions within the care dyad (e.g., simplifying communication); (2) modifying the care environment (e.g., using written prompts); (3) activity engagement; (4) humor; (5) self-care; and (6) social support. Conclusion: Family caregivers manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using strategies to minimize stress and address the needs of both care partners. Caregivers’ own accounts of these approaches reveal a window into their everyday management of difficult behaviors. The present findings generate key information for routine clinical care and targeted interventions to promote caregiver well-being.
AB - Background and objectives: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are highly prevalent, stressful, and challenging to manage. Caregivers’ approaches for handling these behaviors have implications for both care partners’ well-being. Yet the specific strategies that caregivers use in their daily management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are relatively unknown. This study used in-depth focus group data to examine family caregivers’ strategies for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Design: As part of a larger study (NINR R01NR014200), four focus groups were conducted with a total of 26 family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Caregivers were asked to describe the strategies they use to manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Data from audio-recorded sessions were transcribed, coded to identify relevant concepts, and reduced to determine major categories. Results: Caregivers managed behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia through (1) modifying interactions within the care dyad (e.g., simplifying communication); (2) modifying the care environment (e.g., using written prompts); (3) activity engagement; (4) humor; (5) self-care; and (6) social support. Conclusion: Family caregivers manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia using strategies to minimize stress and address the needs of both care partners. Caregivers’ own accounts of these approaches reveal a window into their everyday management of difficult behaviors. The present findings generate key information for routine clinical care and targeted interventions to promote caregiver well-being.
KW - behavioral management
KW - caregiver stress and coping
KW - family caregiving
KW - neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia
KW - qualitative analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85048779212&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85048779212&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1471301218780768
DO - 10.1177/1471301218780768
M3 - Article
C2 - 29886777
AN - SCOPUS:85048779212
JO - Dementia
JF - Dementia
SN - 1471-3012
ER -