Aging & mental health
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Aging & mental health · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialCognitive-behavioural group therapy improves a psychophysiological marker of stress in caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Family caregivers of patients with dementia frequently experience psychological stress, depression and disturbed psychophysiological activity, with increased levels of diurnal cortisol secretion. ⋯ Psychoeducation for caregivers may contribute to a reduction of neuropsychiatric symptoms of AD patients while CBT additionally attenuates psychophysiological responses to stressful situations in caregivers, by reducing diurnal cortisol levels. This may lead to a positive impact in the general health of the caregiver, eventually resulting in better care of the AD patient.
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Aging & mental health · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialPositive psychology interventions in people aged 50-79 years: long-term effects of placebo-controlled online interventions on well-being and depression.
Various positive psychology interventions have been experimentally tested, but only few studies addressed the effects of such activities in participants aged 50 and above. ⋯ Positive psychology interventions yield similar results for people aged 50 and above as for younger people. The dissemination of such interventions via the Internet offers a valuable opportunity for older age groups as well.
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Aging & mental health · Jan 2014
Multicenter StudyFamily caregivers' sleep disturbance and its associations with multilevel stressors when caring for patients with dementia.
We tested a stress process model of multilevel stressors on sleep disturbance for family caregivers (FCG) of persons with dementia (PWD). ⋯ This study supports the model that development of caregivers' sleep problems may depend on their depression, fatigue, and the synergistic effects of these two variables. These findings suggest that clinicians should educate FCGs about self-care and offer strategies for dealing with a cluster of symptoms when maintaining sleep hygiene.
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Aging & mental health · Jan 2014
Caring for relatives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: how does the disease severity impact on family carers?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of disability, morbidity and mortality in old age, representing a significant burden for families. However, information on the impacts of caring for relatives with COPD on carers' psychological health is limited. This study aimed to analyse the subjective burden of family carers of people with early and advanced COPD and its predictor variables. ⋯ The findings suggest that the gradual course of COPD imposes an increasing physical and emotional burden on carers, with negative impacts on their psychological health. The study highlights the relevance of early interventions in the context of COPD to prevent carers' burden.