By Suzanna Smith, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida
Reviewed by Martie Gillen, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida
One in eight older Americans today has Alzheimer’s. The number of older adults with this disease is expected to triple by 2050, unless there is some medical breakthrough that can treat or prevent the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Researchers are working to find out why some people with AD decline quickly, while others lose their functioning over a much longer period of time. Ongoing research finds that the quality of the caregiving relationship may play an important role.
A continuing study of persons with AD and their caregivers followed these relationships every six months for about four years, with researchers studying changes in patients’ thinking processes and functioning over time. Interestingly, Alzheimer’s progressed more slowly for those who felt closer to their caregivers. The decline was also less rapid for those who were cared for by a spouse, rather than by an adult child.
The researchers also found that when caregivers used a coping strategy of tackling problems by finding solutions, instead of avoiding problems or blaming themselves, the progression of the disease slowed.
These studies suggest that elements of the caregiver-care recipient relationship may be crucial to maintaining a better quality of life for a longer time for Alzheimer’s patients. Although there are no guarantees, it may be helpful for caregivers to learn problem-focused coping, to work closely with the care receiver to plan for meeting their care needs, and to participate in activities together that strengthen feelings of closeness. It’s especially important to attend to the person with dementia so they feel “listened to and understood by their caregivers” (Norton et al., 2012, p. 565).
As more and more families begin to be faced with the task of caring for a loved one with AD, research like this can help caregivers and medical professionals sustain a better quality of life for these individuals.
(Photo credit: Hand in hand by Garry Knight. CC BY 2.0. Cropped.)
Further Reading:
References:
Alzheimer’s Association. (2012). 2012 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 8(2). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/downloads/facts_figures_2012.pdf
Norton, M. C., Piercy , K. W., Rabins, P.V., Green, R. C., Breitner, J. C. S., Østbye , T., Corcoran , C., Welsh-Bohmer , K. A., Lyketsos, C. G., & Tschanz, J. T. (2009). Caregiver – recipient closeness and symptom progression in Alzheimer disease. The Cache County dementia progression study. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 64B(5), 560–568. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbp052
Tschanz, J. T., Piercy, K. Corcoran, C. D., Fauth, E., Norton, M. C., Rabins, P. V., Tschanz, B.T., Deberard, M. S., Snyder, C., Smith, C., Lee, L., & Lyketsos, C. G. (2013). Caregiver coping strategies predict cognitive and functional decline in dementia; the Cache County dementia progression study. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 21(1), 57-66.
(Originally published in a slightly different form as: Smith, S. (2013). Caregiver-care recipient relationship influences quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients. [Radio broadcast episode]. Family Album Radio. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida.)
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