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Carers for older people with co-morbid cognitive impairment in general hospital: characteristics and psychological well-being

Bradshaw, Lucy E.; Goldberg, Sarah E.; Schneider, Justine M.; Harwood, Rowan H.

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Authors

Sarah E. Goldberg

Justine M. Schneider

Rowan H. Harwood



Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
This analysis sought to describe the characteristics and well-being of carers of older people with mental health problems admitted to a general hospital.
METHODS:
General medical and trauma orthopaedic patients aged 70 years or older admitted to an acute general teaching hospital were screened for mental health problems. Those screened positive, together with a carer, were invited to undergo further assessment with a battery of health status measurements. Carers were interviewed to ascertain strain (caregiver strain index (CSI)), psychological distress (12-item General Health Questionnaire) and quality of life (EQ-5D).
RESULTS:
We recruited 250 patients to the study, of whom 180 were cognitively impaired and had carers willing to take part. After 6 months, 57 patients (32%) had died, and we followed up 100 carers. Carers' own health, in terms of mobility, usual activities, and anxiety, was poor in a third of cases. At the time of admission, high carer strain was common (42% with CSI ? 7), particularly among co-resident carers (55%). High levels of behavioural and psychiatric symptoms at baseline were associated with more carer strain and distress. At follow-up, carer strain and distress had reduced only slightly, with no difference in outcomes for carers of patients who moved from the community to a care home.
CONCLUSION:
Hospital staff should be alert to sources of carer strain and offer carers practical advice and emotional support. Interventions are required to prevent and manage behavioural and psychiatric symptoms at the time of acute physical illness or to alleviate their effects on carers.

Citation

Bradshaw, L. E., Goldberg, S. E., Schneider, J. M., & Harwood, R. H. (2012). Carers for older people with co-morbid cognitive impairment in general hospital: characteristics and psychological well-being. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(7), https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.3871

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Aug 8, 2012
Deposit Date Apr 16, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Print ISSN 0885-6230
Electronic ISSN 0885-6230
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 28
Issue 7
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.3871
Keywords Carers, Older person, Mental health, General hospital
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/711057
Publisher URL http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.3871/abstract;jsessionid=D91FD1EC7BB6C8C2102BE9D4EF028A01.f01t02

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