Adult day service use and reductions in caregiving hours: effects on stress and psychological well-being for dementia caregivers.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine whether adult day service use interacts with decreases in primary caregiving hours (i.e. the time caregivers spent on activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living, memory problems, and behavior problems for patients) to alleviate caregiver stress and negative mental health over time.


METHODS
Three-month longitudinal data from the Adult Day Care Collaborative Study (n=400) were used.


RESULTS
Decreases in memory problem hours among adult day service users were associated with reduced feelings of role overload; decreases in ADL hours among non-users were associated with decreases in worry and strain over a three-month period.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that adult day services are potentially effective in restructuring caregiving time and providing respite to family members.
Gaugler
Joseph E
JE
Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0230, USA. jgaugle@uky.edu
Jarrott
Shannon E
SE
Zarit
Steven H
SH
Stephens
Mary-Ann Parris
MA
Townsend
Aloen
A
Greene
Rick
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012144:Respite Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors