title: Family caregivers' role implementation at different stages of dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to explore family caregivers' role-implementation experiences at different stages of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this cross-sectional, exploratory study, 176 dyads of family caregivers and their community-dwelling elderly relatives with dementia were recruited from the neurological clinics of a medical center in Taiwan. The Family Caregiving Inventory was used to assess family caregivers for caregiving activities, role strain, role preparation, and help from others at different stages of care receivers' dementia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Family caregivers' caregiving activities were related to patients' stages of dementia. For patients with mild dementia, caregivers provided more assistance in transportation and housekeeping. In addition to these two activities, family caregivers of patients with moderate dementia provided more assistance with mobility and protection. For patients with severe dementia, family caregivers provided more assistance with personal care, mobility and protection, transportation, and housekeeping. Overall, family caregivers reported having some preparation to provide care; the most difficult caregiving activity was identified as managing behavioral problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study's results provide a knowledge base for designing dementia stage-specific interventions in clinical practice and developing community-based, long-term care systems for families of patients with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontological Care and Management, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Huei-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yea-Ing L
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Shyu
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Biostatistics Consulting Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Min-Chi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chin-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Chou
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sien-Tsong
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan ; Chang Gung Dementia Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Chuin
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013624:Taiwan
keywords: behavioral problem; caregiving activity; illness trajectory; preparedness; role strain