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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Laura GambleORCiD, Professor Fiona MatthewsORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. OBJECTIVES: Understanding whether and how caregivers' capability to "live well" changes over time, and the factors associated with change, could help target effective caregiver support. METHODS: We analyzed 3 time points (12 months apart) of Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort data from coresident spouse caregivers of community-dwelling individuals who had mild-to-moderate dementia at baseline, using latent growth and growth mixture models. Capability to "live well" was derived from measures of quality of life, well-being, and satisfaction with life. RESULTS: Data from 995 spouse caregivers at Time 1, 780 at Time 2, and 601 at Time 3 were included. The mean "living well" score decreased slightly over time. We identified 3 classes of caregivers: one with higher baseline scores declining slightly over time (Stable; 66.8%), one with low baseline scores remaining stable (Lower Stable; 26.0%), and one with higher baseline scores showing marked decline (Declining; 7.2%). Scores on baseline measures differentiated the Lower Stable, but not the Declining, from the Stable class. Longitudinally, the Declining class was associated with care recipient cognitive decline and increasing hours providing care, as well as caregiver stress and depression. Findings were similar when caregivers with other kin relationships were included. DISCUSSION: The findings indicate the importance of prompt identification of, and support for, caregivers at risk of the declining capability to "live well" and may assist in identifying those caregivers who could benefit most from targeted support.
Author(s): Clare L, Gamble LD, Martyr A, Sabatini S, Nelis SM, Quinn C, Pentecost C, Victor C, Jones RW, Jones IR, Knapp M, Litherland R, Morris RG, Rusted JM, Thom JM, Collins R, Henderson C, Matthews FE
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journals of Gerontology: Series B
Year: 2022
Volume: 77
Issue: 10
Pages: 1852-1863
Print publication date: 01/10/2022
Online publication date: 07/07/2022
Acceptance date: 27/06/2022
Date deposited: 24/10/2022
ISSN (print): 1079-5014
ISSN (electronic): 1758-5368
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbac090
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac090
PubMed id: 35796675
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