Open AccessTransitioning to Long-Term Care: Family Caregiver Experiences of Dementia, Communities, and Counseling
Author(s) -
Rachel Zmora,
Robyn Birkeland,
Hayley R McCarron,
Jessica Finlay,
Christina Rosebush,
Joseph E. Gaugler
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of aging and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1552-6887
pISSN - 0898-2643
DOI - 10.1177/0898264320963588
Subject(s) - dementia , psychological intervention , psychosocial , thematic analysis , intervention (counseling) , family caregivers , psychology , interpersonal communication , perception , clinical psychology , gerontology , medicine , disease , qualitative research , psychiatry , social psychology , social science , pathology , neuroscience , sociology
Objectives: Previous analyses of interventions targeting relationships between family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and residential long-term care (RLTC) staff showed modest associations with caregiver outcomes. This analysis aimed to better understand interpersonal and contextual factors that influence caregiver-staff relationships and identify targets for future interventions to improve these relationships. Methods: Using a parallel convergent mixed methods approach to analyze data from an ongoing counseling intervention trial, descriptive statistics characterized the sample of 85 caregivers and thematic analyses explored their experiences over 4 months. Results: The findings illustrated that communication, perceptions of care, and relationships with staff are valued by family caregivers following the transition of a relative with dementia to RLTC. Discussion: The findings deepen understanding of potential intervention targets and mechanisms. These results can inform future psychosocial and psychoeducational approaches that assist, validate, and empower family caregivers during the transition to RLTC.