1. Candice W. Rasheed
Argosy University

2. » Abstract
» This paper investigates existing articles that report findings on the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on
caregivers. It provides known disadvantages as well as caregiver training methods; the articles differ in
caregiver challenges. Howcroft (2004) found that caregivers experience a great deal of burden upon accepting
this responsibility. Morano (2003) found that caregivers experienced decreased life satisfaction. Sanders &
Adams (2003) found that a significant number of caregivers experience high levels of grief. Alternatively;
Hayslip, Han, & Anderson, (2008) found that caregivers who “received social support from others reported
less depression and somatic anxiety and more life satisfaction. This paper provides data on the topic that will
strengthen the existing data. The data provided in this paper will inform caregivers about the known
disadvantages of accepting a caregiver role. Educating the caregiver prior to accepting a caregiver role will be
beneficial to the caregiver and their family in that they are prepared for the possible drawbacks the role could
cause.

3. » Alzheimer's disease has devastating effects on patients suffering with the disease. The topic that is less
likely to come up in discussion is the affect of Alzheimer's disease on caregivers. Caregivers are the
caretakers of patients suffering with this disease, and can range from hospital facilities to family members.
The area that I will focus on is the effects of Alzheimer's disease on caregivers, more specifically, family
members that are caregivers.
» Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease that affects the Central Nervous System. The
disease is a slow progression of death in brain function. Since the progression of the disease is slow, an
individual may not notice any sudden change in himself or herself or a family member. In the early
stage, symptoms are passed off as an indication of aging. Aging is the natural response, as the common age of
onset is sixty. However, there are rare cases where onset is between the ages of forty and fifty. In the later
stage of Alzheimer's disease, individuals begin to experience worsened symptoms ranging from memory loss
to the ability to control bodily functions.

4. The majority of the published research on the topic focuses
on four main areas of concern for caregivers of
Alzheimer’s patients.
» Stress
» Sleep problems
» Grief
» Depression

5. Literature Review

6. » Howcroft (2004) examined the challenges caregivers face when
caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Howcroft found
that caregivers experience a great deal of burden when faced with
providing care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. “The role
of the caregiver can be detrimental to the physical, mental and
financial health of a caregiver (Howcroft, 2004)”.

7. » Morano (2003), found that decreased life satisfaction on the part of
the caregiver can induce feelings of stress and depression. According to
Morano introducing an intervention on the on the part of the caregiver
may increase life satisfaction as well as “empower the caregiver, and
improve their physical wellbeing (Morano, 2003)”.

8. » Sanders & Adams (2003) found that a significant number of caregivers
experience high levels of grief. According to Sanders & Adams, “Grief is a
significant predictor of increased depressive symptoms (Sanders &
Adams, 2003)”. More importantly, symptoms of grief are often mistaken
for symptoms of depression. (Sanders & Adams, 2003) Additionally, the
stages of grief are intertwined with the stages of the disease; feelings of
grief are more intense during the middle stages of the disease where the
patient no longer recognizes the caregiver. (Sanders & Adams, 2003)

9. » Hayslip, Han, & Anderson, (2008) found that caregivers who “received social
support from others reported less depression and somatic anxiety and more life
satisfaction than those who perceived less social support (Hayslip, Han, & Anderson
2008)”. Additionally, it was noted that introverted individuals in the role of caregiver
experienced more depression symptoms than their counter part, an extroverted
individuals in the role of caregiver. (Hayslip, Han, & Anderson 2008) Which indicates
that being vocal about issues and concerns is beneficial for caregivers.

10. » Sleep problems may be a result of grief, depression, stress, or concern about the
patient leaving the home while the caregiver is sleeping. A study conducted by Journal
of Nursing Scholarship, (2010) explores the idea that implementing a monitoring device
in the home of the caregiver may relieve stress, and allow the caregiver to achieve longer
sleep periods without waking. The study found that the implementation of the
monitoring device did not produce any significant change in the caregiver’s sleep habits.
The study also concluded that the caregiver’s sleep problems were likely due to other
factors in the caregiver’s life.

11. Conclusion

12. » In conclusion, the research indicates that caregivers face several disadvantages including sleep
problems, stress, depression and grief. Counseling and interventions can benefit caregivers in that
they may provide productive methods that may increase the overall life satisfaction of the caregiver. It
is important that the caregiver receives training courses prior to entering into a caregiver role; training
courses will educate the caregiver on potential issues involved with the perspective role.
» The research reviewed in this paper can benefit the known data on the topic because it
provides methods to improve the life of caregivers and their family members. It also provides
examples of known disadvantages of accepting a caregiver role. I think it would be most beneficial to
a prospective caregiver and an Alzheimer’s patient if the caregiver were to evaluate their current life
versus that of adding the care of an individual with Alzheimer’s disease. They may find that the
outcome is not conducive to their current style of living and concede to allowing a more appropriate
member of the family to take on the responsibility of caregiver to ensure the proper care for the
individual with the disease.

13. »References

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Alzheimer’s patients. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(3), 248-254.
» Chiung-Yu Huang; Sousa, V. D., Shao-Jen Perng, Mei-Yi Hwang, Chun-Ching Tsai, Mei-Huang Huang, &
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