The interplay of institution and family caregiving: relations between patient hassles, nursing home hassles and caregivers' burnout.

This population-based study investigated the relationship between stresses (hassles) and burnout for 30 family caregivers and their institutionalized demented elderly. The Burnout Measure, the Patient Hassles Scales and the Nursing Home Hassles Scale were used. Hassles included: patient hassles (cognitive, behavior, basic ADL) and nursing home hassles (caregiver - staff, patient - staff, practical/logistical).

Differences between and within genders in caregiving strain: a comparison between caregivers of demented and non-caregivers of non-demented elderly people.

Fifty-two caregivers for demented and 66 non-caregivers for non-demented elderly were investigated both within a gender and between genders. All participants were relatives and a burden questionnaire was used. The results showed that there was not always a difference between the caregivers for demented and the non-caregivers for non-demented elderly which may indicate that being a relative, even to a non-demented elderly, has obviously its own problems and importance.

The Circle Model--support for relatives of people with dementia.

Home care for cognitively impaired elderly puts tremendous stress and burden on their families. Therefore it is important to search for effective care models in order to provide support for this group. In this study, an intervention model--the Circle Model--was developed, tested and evaluated in six places in Sweden.

Major strain and coping strategies as reported by family members who care for aged demented relatives.

This study is based on a previous investigation into 46 caregivers' experience of burden and burnout when caring for a demented elderly relative. The aim of this study was to describe caregivers who develop or experience burnout (group A) and caregivers without experience of burnout (group B) and how they cope with major strain. The interviews focused on the caregivers' descriptions of their major strain (the demented person's memory difficulties and change in behaviour and the caregivers' experiences of their feelings of loss and their new role) and what they did, thought and felt in these situations.

Caring for a demented elderly person--burden and burnout among caregiving relatives.

Fifty-two family caregivers for demented elderly people were investigated for burden and burnout experiences. A structured burden questionnaire and the Burnout Measure were used. Burnout is described in relation to the caregiver's gender, age, family relationship and the demented person's living place.