Relinquishing in-home dementia care: Difficulties and preceived helpfulness during the nursing home trasition

Institutionalization of an elderly relative suffering from dementia is a key transition in the caregiving career. This study determines factors that predict the problems and help dementia caregivers perceive while institutionalizing an elderly relative. By using a sample of 185 dementia caregivers i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias 2001-01, Vol.16 (1), p.32-42
Main Authors: Gaugler, Joseph E., Pearlin, Leonard I., Leitsch, Sara A., Davey, Adam
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Institutionalization of an elderly relative suffering from dementia is a key transition in the caregiving career. This study determines factors that predict the problems and help dementia caregivers perceive while institutionalizing an elderly relative. By using a sample of 185 dementia caregivers interviewed before and after institutionalization, the authors conducted a multivariate regression to identify relevant predictors of search difficulties, professional help, and family help during the nursing home transition. The personal and social resources of caregivers prior to placement (e.g., mastery, family conflict, socioemotional support, duration of care, education, and physical health) were reliable predictors of search difficulties and perceived helpfulness. Such findings will prove useful to long-term care practitioners who wish to facilitate the institutionalization process for caregiving families.
ISSN:1533-3175
1938-2731
DOI:10.1177/153331750101600102