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Description
Background: Caregivers are vital in fulfilling patients' primary care needs, and families prefer them over sending their loved ones to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia are prevalent conditions necessitating continuous assistance due to memory and cognition impairments. As a result, support is essential for tasks like mobility, feeding, bathing, and perineal care, as well as emotional and physical challenges inherent in caregiving. Purpose: Upon diving into the mental health impacts of serving as an informal caregiver for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, a notable research gap becomes evident, especially concerning male caregivers. This lack of information may stem from a potential reluctance among male caregivers to openly share their experiences and emotions due to fears of societal judgment. Additionally, they might avoid seeking support, feeling obligated by a sense of duty and loyalty to care for their loved ones unconditionally. This thesis proposal intends to shed light on the physical and mental well-being of male caregivers in their roles as informal caregivers for individuals with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. The thesis will examine differences in caregiving responsibilities, the impact on health, experiences of burnout and strain, and the coping strategies used by male caregivers compared to their female counterparts. Method: The assessment will comprise 10 multiple-choice questions and three written response questions focusing on caregivers' responsibilities and the perceived impact of these duties on their lives. Results: Data collection for this qualitative study is pending; however, the survey anticipates illuminating the experiences of the male caregivers interviewed.
Department
Nursing
Publication Date
2024
Sponsorship/Conference/Institution
Scholar & Creative Works Conference, Dominican University of California
City
San Rafael, CA
Keywords
Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiver burden/strain, Coping strategies, Dementia, Family caregiver, Informal male caregiver
Disciplines
Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology | Health Psychology | Nursing | Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies
Included in
Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Nursing Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons