Browsing by Subject "Caregivers"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Exploring the Relationships Between Supports and Depression Among Elderly Caregivers Raising Children Orphaned by AIDS in Rural Namibia
    (2015-05) Kalomo, Eveline
    Using the ecological systems theory, the present study examined the levels of depression in elderly caregivers of AIDS orphaned children in relations to those caregivers' financial stability, social support, informational support, and personal characteristics. Cross-sectional data were collected through face-to face interviews using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) of depression and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Measures for financial stability and informational supports were specifically developed for this study. Multiple regression analysis found elevated levels of depressive symptoms, with all caregivers in this study scoring above the threshold criteria for depression (≥16 points). The mean score of CES-D for the entire sample was 48. Findings also revealed a significant negative association between financial stability and depression. In addition, results showed a negative association between caring for an HIV-infected child and depression after controlling for caregiver age and caring for an HIV-infected child. Findings suggest the need for greater economic security and mental health interventions for elderly caregivers.
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    Personal Perspectives on Alzheimer’s Disease in Morocco
    (2017) Krueger, Allison
    The number of people affected with dementia worldwide is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, which is characterized by progressive memory loss and increasing behavioral changes throughout the course of the fatal disease. This growing healthcare concern affects not only those with the disease, but caregivers and family members as well. Understanding the unique challenges of affected families across cultures can be useful in providing culturally competent healthcare and providing support resources for patients and their families. This study investigated the major issues faced by families affected by Alzheimer’s disease in Morocco and the support resources available through a site visit, in-country library research, and semi-structured interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of the effects of the disease from multiple perspectives. Results indicate that there are at least four aging centers in Morocco, either in construction or already functioning, to provide caregiver support and education on Alzheimer's disease. Two out of three of the interview participants believe that Alzheimer's disease is not a major health priority on a national scale compared to other acute diseases.
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    Religion and spirituality as resources for African American families in end-of-life care.
    (2009-12) Wallace, Beverly Rose
    Many studies evidence the rewards and challenges of providing care for family members at the end-of-life and have suggested that any differences that may exist in caregiving might be related to how families of diverse backgrounds appraise the experience. Such research indicates that African Americans appear to appraise the caregiving task differently than others and that African American caregivers' faith and their religiosity or spirituality attribute to the different appraisal. One criticism germaine to end-of-life research is that some studies do not make clear distinctions or define fully religion and spirituality. Few studies have examined the role of religion and spirituality and their influences relevant to African American caregivers' care decisions for family members using caregivers' voices. This study aims to address these research gaps by examining caregivers' narratives disclosing themes relevant to understanding how African American caregivers talk about, understand, and utilize religion or spirituality as resources. This study is part of a larger qualitative study conducted by Dr. William Turner (2004) that sought to understand end-of-life caregivers' decision-making processes in African American families. Interpretive science utilizing a phenomenological methodological approach was employed. Fifty in-depth interviews were conducted. A reflective approach was used exploring emotional, social, cultural, and systemic factors regarding caregivers' experiences of caregiving and decision-making. Thematic analysis was used to examine and to identify themes, patterns, and behaviors to describe how caregivers experience religion and spirituality as resources in end-of-life care. The results are categorized into three major themes: (a) how caregivers "lived" their religion or spirituality; (b) how caregivers utilize religious or spiritual resources; and (c) how caregivers use theological understandings as a resource. The results suggest that religion and spirituality can be positive and negative resources for African Americans caregivers. The power of cultural mandates and religious and spiritual beliefs are important variables to consider. Examining the lived experience of caregivers is essential and assessing caregivers' theological understandings of religion, spirituality, concepts of life and death, and their theological understanding of care is critical. This study reports only about the people who were interviewed and is not necessarily the experience of all African Americans.