The Effects of Alzheimer’s

Disease on the Caregiver.

Candice W. Rasheed

Argosy University

» Abstract

»This paper investigates existing articles that report findings on the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on caregivers.

It provides known disadvantages as well as caregiver training methods; the articles differ in caregiver

challenges. Howcroft (2004) found that caregivers experience a great deal of burden upon accepting this

responsibility. Morano (2003) found that caregivers experienced decreased life satisfaction. Sanders & Adams

(2003) found that a significant number of caregivers experience high levels of grief. Alternatively; Hayslip, Han,

& Anderson, (2008) found that caregivers who “received social support from others reported less depression and

somatic anxiety and more life satisfaction. This paper provides data on the topic that will strengthen the existing

data. The data provided in this paper will inform caregivers about the known disadvantages of accepting a

caregiver role. Educating the caregiver prior to accepting a caregiver role will be beneficial to the caregiver and

their family in that they are prepared for the possible drawbacks the role could cause.

»Alzheimer's disease has devastating effects on patients suffering with the disease. The topic that is less likely to

come up in discussion is the affect of Alzheimer's disease on caregivers. Caregivers are the caretakers of patients

suffering with this disease, and can range from hospital facilities to family members. The area that I will focus on

is the effects of Alzheimer's disease on caregivers, more specifically, family members that are caregivers.

» Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease that affects the Central Nervous System. The disease is a

slow progression of death in brain function. Since the progression of the disease is slow, an individual may not

notice any sudden change in himself or herself or a family member. In the early stage, symptoms are passed off

as an indication of aging. Aging is the natural response, as the common age of onset is sixty. However, there are

rare cases where onset is between the ages of forty and fifty. In the later stage of Alzheimer's disease, individuals

begin to experience worsened symptoms ranging from memory loss to the ability to control bodily functions.

4 Main disadvantages of performing a caregiver roleThe majority of the published research on the topic focuses

on four main areas of concern for caregivers of Alzheimer’s

patients. » Stress» Sleep problems» Grief» Depression

Literature Review

» Howcroft (2004) examined the challenges caregivers face when

caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Howcroft found

that caregivers experience a great deal of burden when faced

with providing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

“The role of the caregiver can be detrimental to the physical,

mental and financial health of a caregiver (Howcroft, 2004)”.

»Morano (2003), found that decreased life satisfaction on the part of

the caregiver can induce feelings of stress and depression. According

to Morano introducing an intervention on the on the part of the

caregiver may increase life satisfaction as well as “empower the

caregiver, and improve their physical wellbeing (Morano, 2003)”.

» Sanders & Adams (2003) found that a significant number of caregivers

experience high levels of grief. According to Sanders & Adams, “Grief is a

significant predictor of increased depressive symptoms (Sanders & Adams,

2003)”. More importantly, symptoms of grief are often mistaken for symptoms of

depression. (Sanders & Adams, 2003) Additionally, the stages of grief are

intertwined with the stages of the disease; feelings of grief are more intense

during the middle stages of the disease where the patient no longer recognizes

the caregiver. (Sanders & Adams, 2003)

»Hayslip, Han, & Anderson, (2008) found that caregivers who “received social support

from others reported less depression and somatic anxiety and more life satisfaction than

those who perceived less social support (Hayslip, Han, & Anderson 2008)”. Additionally,

it was noted that introverted individuals in the role of caregiver experienced more

depression symptoms than their counter part, an extroverted individuals in the role of

caregiver. (Hayslip, Han, & Anderson 2008) Which indicates that being vocal about

issues and concerns is beneficial for caregivers.

»Sleep problems may be a result of grief, depression, stress, or concern about the patient

leaving the home while the caregiver is sleeping. A study conducted by Journal of

Nursing Scholarship, (2010) explores the idea that implementing a monitoring device

in the home of the caregiver may relieve stress, and allow the caregiver to achieve

longer sleep periods without waking. The study found that the implementation of the

monitoring device did not produce any significant change in the caregiver’s sleep

habits. The study also concluded that the caregiver’s sleep problems were likely due to

other factors in the caregiver’s life.

Conclusion

»In conclusion, the research indicates that caregivers face several disadvantages including sleep problems, stress,

depression and grief. Counseling and interventions can benefit caregivers in that they may provide productive methods

that may increase the overall life satisfaction of the caregiver. It is important that the caregiver receives training courses

prior to entering into a caregiver role; training courses will educate the caregiver on potential issues involved with the

perspective role.

» The research reviewed in this paper can benefit the known data on the topic because it provides methods to improve

the life of caregivers and their family members. It also provides examples of known disadvantages of accepting a

caregiver role. I think it would be most beneficial to a prospective caregiver and an Alzheimer’s patient if the caregiver

were to evaluate their current life versus that of adding the care of an individual with Alzheimer’s disease. They may find

that the outcome is not conducive to their current style of living and concede to allowing a more appropriate member of

the family to take on the responsibility of caregiver to ensure the proper care for the individual with the disease.

»References

» Akpınar, B., Küçükgüçlü, Ö., & Yener, G. (2011). Effects of gender on burden among caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(3), 248-254.

» Chiung-Yu Huang; Sousa, V. D., Shao-Jen Perng, Mei-Yi Hwang, Chun-Ching Tsai, Mei-Huang Huang, & Shu-Ying Yao. (2009). Stressors, social support, depressive symptoms and general health status of Taiwanese caregivers of persons with stroke or Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 8 (4), 502-511.

» Hayslip, B., Han, G., & Anderson, C. L. (2008). Predictors of Alzheimer's disease caregiver depression and burden: What non-caregiving adults can learn from active caregivers. Educational Gerontology, 34 (11), 945-969.

» Howcroft, D. (2004). Alzheimer's disease: Caring for the carers. Mental Health Practice, 7 (8), 31-37.» Morano, C. L. (2003). Appraisal and coping: Moderators or mediators of stress in Alzheimer's disease caregivers?

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