Impact of medication stressors on emotional health of informal caregivers of demented patients

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  • March 21, 2019
Creator
  • Byrd, John E.
    • Affiliation: Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy
Abstract
  • Purpose: To better understand the medication-related concerns of dementia caregivers, their impact on caregiver emotional health and to identify potential areas for interventions that might assist them with medication management and reduce their overall stress and burden. Scope: Since demented patients lose their cognitive ability to manage their own medications early in the disease process, informal caregivers are involved with this sometimes complex process for an extended period of time which has the potential to cause a great deal of burden, anxiety and frustration. Methods: This research study was conducted using a sample of 139 caregivers of persons with memory problems recruited from caregiver support groups, clinic settings and an online listserv. Results: Caregivers who reported lower levels of social support and had more difficulty handling the medication effects reported higher depression scores. Less than half of the caregivers surveyed believed that their pharmacist was proactive in communicating drug information or that there was a private place within the pharmacy to do this. Conclusions: The findings suggest that medication-related stressors are associated with poorer emotional health outcomes in caregivers. The descriptive analysis of caregiver's attitudes about pharmacists and pharmacy services also suggests that there are things that can be done to assist caregivers to improve the relationship and communication with their pharmacist.
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  • In Copyright
Advisor
  • Sleath, Betsy
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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  • Open access
Date uploaded
  • October 19, 2010

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