Date of Defense
4-9-2007
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Joni Jones
Second Advisor
Dr. Mary Lagerwey
Third Advisor
Pat Fuehr
Abstract
The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate the impact of adult day care centers (ADC) on the perceived stress of the caregivers of loved ones with dementia and on their perceptions of their loved one's level of functioning or quality of life. Five caregivers whom had a loved one attending the same ADC were interviewed to obtain qualitative data concerning their perceptions about ADC utilization. Two assessment tools, the Caregiver Strain Index and the QA Study Assessment Tool were also used to determine quantitatively the impact of adult day care attendance on caregiver stress. The results suggested that ADC attendance lessened the overall amount of perceived caregiver stress, but that a significant level of stress remained. Additionally, the caregivers' perception regarding the quality of the life and functioning of their loved one decreased over time, most likely related to the progressive nature of dementia.
Recommended Citation
Olsen, Abby L., "A Study of the Impact of Adult Day Care Centers on the Caregivers of Clients with Dementia" (2007). Honors Theses. 1125.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/1125
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access