ObjectiveAccurate assessment of caregiver functioning is of great importance to gain better insight into daily caregiver functioning and to prevent high levels of burden. The experience sampling methodology (ESM) is an innovative approach to assess subjective experiences and behavior within daily life. In this study, the feasibility of the ESM in spousal caregivers of people with dementia was examined, and the usability of ESM data for clinical and scientific practice was demonstrated.MethodsThirty‐one caregivers collected ESM data for six consecutive days using an electronic ESM device that generated ten random alerts per day. After each alert, short reports of the caregiver's current mood state and context were collected. Feasibility was assessed by examining compliance and subjective experiences with the ESM. Usability was described using group and individual ESM data.ResultsParticipants on average completed 78.8% of the reports. One participant completed less than 33% of the reports and was excluded from data analyses. Participants considered the ESM device to be a user‐friendly device in which they could accurately describe their feelings and experiences. The ESM was not experienced as too burdensome. Zooming in on the ESM data, personalized patterns of mood and contextual factors were revealed.ConclusionsThe ESM is a feasible method to assess caregiver functioning. In addition to standard retrospective measurements, it offers new opportunities to gain more insight into the daily lives of people with dementia and their caregivers. It also provides new possibilities to tailor caregiver support interventions to the specific needs of the caregiver. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OBJECTIVE:Positive emotions and feelings of competence seem to play an important role in the well-being of caregivers of people with dementia. Both are likely to fluctuate constantly throughout the caretaking process. Unlike standard retrospective methods, momentary assessments in daily life can provide insight into these moment-to-moment fluctuations. Therefore, in this study both retrospective and momentary assessments were used to examine the relationship between caregivers' sense of competence and their experienced positive affect (PA) in daily life.METHODS:Thirty Dutch caregivers provided momentary data on PA and daily sense of competence ratings for 6 consecutive days using the experience sampling methodology. Additionally, they reported retrospectively on their sense of competence with a traditional questionnaire.RESULTS:A positive association was found between retrospective and daily measured sense of competence. Caregivers reported corresponding levels of sense of competence on both measures. Both daily and retrospective sense of competence were positively associated with the experienced levels of PA. However, daily sense of competence appeared to be the strongest predictor. Regarding the variability in PA, only daily sense of competence showed a significant association, with a higher daily sense of competence predicting a more stable PA pattern.CONCLUSION:This study provides support for redirecting caregiver support interventions toward enhancement of positive rather than negative experiences and focusing more on caregivers' momentary emotional experiences. Momentary assessments are a valuable addition to standard retrospective measures and provide a more comprehensive and dynamic view of caregiver functioning.
Quality of Life (QoL) is a key outcome in dementia.
Objectives The aim of this study was to compare demographic and clinical features of patients from Non-English Speaking Background (NESB) with those from English Speaking Background (ESB) who attended a memory clinic in Melbourne, Australia.Methods Data on 556 consecutive patients attending the memory clinic were analysed retrospectively. All patients were assessed by a geriatrician (Italian speaking) or psychogeriatrician with the aid of Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders in the Elderly (CAMDEX) interview schedule. Patients were classified into the categories of dementia, functional psychiatric disorder (including depression), cognitive impairment other than dementia and normal, using ICD 10 criteria. Severity of dementia was determined using the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. Demographic information and use of community services were also documented.Results Of those seen, 148 (28.8%) were of NESB, the majority Italian (69, 12.4%). Patients of NESB were younger (p = 0.001), less educated (p = 0.001) and less likely to live alone (p = 0.009) compared to persons of ESB. Those of NESB were more likely present with a functional psychiatric disorder (particularly depression) or normal cognition (p=0.001). Patients of NESB with dementia presented at a later stage of their disease as determined by CDR (p=0.003). Those of NESB scored significantly lower (more impaired) on CAMCOG in all patients seen (including normal and psychiatric groups) (p=0.02).Conclusions The clinical and demographic features of people of NESB referred to a memory clinic in Melbourne, Australia, differ from their ESB counterparts, with specific groups being under represented. This has implications for equity of assessment, service provision and utilisation for those of ethnically diverse backgrounds. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The purpose of this article is to provide data for advanced interpretation of MMSE performance in community-dwelling elderly persons and in geriatric neuropsychiatry inpatients. Age- and education-corrected cutoff scores, standard errors of measurement and standard errors of difference were computed using previously published population normative data (Crum et al., 1993). The supplementary normative table provides a means of interpreting MMSE performance at a single point in time, or at two testing intervals. These same scores were calculated for a sample of 248 elderly inpatients from the geriatric psychiatry division of a psychiatric hospital. Clinical examples are provided.
