Self-management by family caregivers to manage changes in the behavior and mood of their relative with dementia: an online focus group study

BMC Geriatrics

Research Article

Cees Hertogh¹  Judith Huis in het Veld²  Anneke Francke³  Wendy Werkman⁴  Berno van Meijel⁵  Renate Verkaik⁶  Paul-Jeroen Verkade⁷ 

[1] Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care, Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands;Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care, Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands;Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands;Dutch Alzheimer’s society, Amersfoort, The Netherlands;Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands;Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, The Netherlands;The Geriant Foundation, Region North of Amsterdam, The Netherlands;

关键词: Self-management;    Dementia;    Changes in behavior and mood;    Challenging behavior;    Online focus groups;    Internet discussion;    Family;    Informal caregivers;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-016-0268-4

 received in 2015-12-08, accepted in 2016-04-26,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSelf-management is important for family caregivers of people with dementia, especially when they face changes in their relative’s behavior and mood, such as depression, apathy, anxiety, agitation and aggression. The aim of this study is to give insight into why these changes in behavior and mood are stressful for family caregivers, what self-management strategies family caregivers use when managing these changes and the stress they experience.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using four online focus groups with 32 family caregivers of people with dementia living in the Netherlands. Transcripts of the focus group discussions were analyzed using principles of thematic analysis.ResultsManaging changes in the behavior and mood of their relative with dementia is stressful for family caregivers because of constantly having to switch, continuously having to keep the person with dementia occupied and distracted, the fact that others see a different side to the relative, and the fact that caregivers know what to do, but are often not able to put this into practice. Caregivers use calming down and stimulation as self-management strategies for influencing the changes in the behavior and mood of their relative. Furthermore, caregivers describe three self-management strategies that let them manage their own stress and keep up the care for their loved ones: looking for distractions, getting rest, and discussing their feelings and experiences.ConclusionsBehavior and mood changes of a person with dementia are stressful for family caregivers. They use several self-management strategies to positively affect the mood and behavior changes, and also to manage their own stress.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Huis in het Veld et al. 2016