title: Family caregivers at risk: who are they?
abstract: This study examined the characteristics, activities, challenges, and perceived burden of high-risk family caregivers of persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. A descriptive design was used. A convenience sample of 121 family caregivers participated in the interview. High-risk family caregivers with poor health and one medical condition were compared with low-risk family caregivers. Caregivers with low income, depressive symptoms, and high care demands are more likely to be in the high-risk group. Health care providers need to screen family caregivers for depression and monitor those with high care demands.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, College of Nursing & Health Professions, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, USA. ewg22@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polansky
authors.forename: Carol Frances
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lippa
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Du
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015143:Philadelphia; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*