TreeBREAD.com Empowers Caregivers

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with a wide range of complications. However, a multitude of barriers prevent SCD patients from receiving adequate healthcare, including difficulties with transportation and lack of provider knowledge about disease sequelae. Importantly, studies have demonstrated the benefits of telemedicine in addressing barriers to healthcare. While previous studies have identified barriers to care through quantitative methods, few studies have explored barriers which affect the pediatric SCD patient population in the Midwest, wherein the geographical landscape can prohibit healthcare access. Furthermore, few studies have established acceptability of telemedicine among caregivers and patients with SCD. This qualitative study describes common burdens faced by caregivers of SCD, barriers to and facilitators of SCD care in the Midwest, and caregiver perceptions of the usefulness and efficacy of telemedicine for SCD care. Read the full article

Currently, information on factors associated with anxiety in family caregivers of children with chronic diseases is unavailable, indicating a significant gap in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to identify the psychosocial and sociodemographic variables associated with anxiety in family caregivers of children with chronic diseases.Some psychosocial variables have effects on caregiver anxiety that are relevant for interventions. Clinical interventions should be implemented based on the psychosocial variables associated with family caregiver anxiety. Read the full article

There are caregivers who see their quality of life (QoL) impaired due to the demands of their caregiving tasks, while others manage to adapt and overcome the crises successfully. The influence of the family function in the main caregiver's situation has not been the subject of much evaluation. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between the functionality of the family and the QoL of caregivers of dependent relatives. Read the full article

Background Sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly being challenged in providing care and treatment for chronic diseases, both communicable and non-communicable. In order to address the challenges of linkage to and retention in chronic disease management, there is the need to understand the factors that can influence engagement in care. We conducted a qualitative study to identify barriers and facilitators to linkage and retention in chronic care for HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and Hypertension (HTN) as part of the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program in western Kenya. Methods In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted July 2012-August 2013. Study participants were purposively sampled from three AMPATH clinics and included patients within the AMPATH program receiving HIV, TB, and HTN care, as well as caregivers of children with HIV, community leaders, and healthcare providers. A set of interview guides were developed to explore perceived barriers and facilitators to chronic disease management, particularly related to linkage to and retention in HIV, TB and HTN care. Data were coded and various themes were identified. We organized the concepts and themes generated using the Andersen-Newman Framework of Health Services Utilization. Results A total of 235 participants including 110 individuals living with HIV (n=50), TB (n=39), or HTN (n=21); 24 caregivers; 10 community leaders; and 62 healthcare providers participated. Barriers and facilitators were categorized as predisposing characteristics, enabling resources and need factors. Many of the facilitators and barriers reported in this study were consistently reported across disease categories including personal drive, patient-provider relationships and the need for social and peer support. Conclusions Our findings provide insight into the individual as well as broader structural factors that can deter or encourage linkage and retention that are relevant across communicable and non-communicable chronic diseases. The findings of the present study suggest that interventions should consider the logistical aspects of accessing care in addition to predisposing and need factors that may affect an individuals’ decision to seek out and remain in appropriate care. Read the full article

Looking after a child with a chronic disease can be a very challenging experience. In this study, researchers looked at how sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, such as the caregiver's age, education level and the family's income, impact the burden of caregiving. #chronicillness #caregiver #caregiving #chroniccare #familyhealth #healthcare #mentalhealth #disability #chronicsupport #support #chronicillnesssupport #healthylifestyle #mentalwellness #healthyliving #caregiversupport Read the full article

Vulnerability is characterized by high levels of anxiety, depression, parental stress, and caregiver burden, along with low levels of family support, resilience, and well-being. Adversity is represented by the opposite, with high levels of family support, resilience, and well-being and low levels of anxiety, depression, parental stress, and caregiver burden. Read the full article

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) often require more services than other children their age, and this can be expensive. To better understand how parental health literacy affects the care of CSHCN, a research team conducted a review of 13 studies from 1998 to 2014.  further assessment of the relationship between health literacy and health care utilization and cost, and (4) assessment of parental/caregiver health literacy in the inpatient care setting. Read the full article

Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) often require more services than other children their age, and this can be expensive. To better understand how parental health literacy affects the care of CSHCN, a research team conducted a review of 13 studies from 1998 to 2014. Read the full article

Background Informal caregivers play an important role in the well-being of dependent members in a household. Yet, literature on female caregiver burden in low-income and middle-income countries is scanty. This study examines the socio-demographic and socio-economic determinants of female caregiver burden in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods The cross-sectional study involved 100 black/African and 100 coloured female caregivers selected through a systematic random sampling procedure in two different cultural communities. The study instrument assessed caregiver burden with both objective and subjective measures through the use of a fully structured questionnaire. Chi-square tests and correlation analysis were used to examine the association between background characteristics and female caregiver burden. Results The results showed that a large proportion of caregivers (49.5%) were in the age group of 50–59 years. The majority of the respondents were in care tasks as a full time job, providing more than 40 h of care per week. Statistical significant associations were found between the socio-demographic characteristics of female caregivers (such as age, education, population group and income status) and the physical health status of the care recipients. Further, physical health of care recipients and social grants showed strong, statistically significant positive correlations with caregiver burden. Conclusions The study recommends the government to recognise the importance of physical health of the care recipients and increase the amounts of social grants to the caregivers since this could improve the standard of living of both the care recipients and caregivers. Read the full article

This study looked at the association between the type of primary caregiver (e.g., spouse, son/daughter-in-law, daughter/son-in-law, grandchildren, and domestic helper) and death among community-dwelling Chinese older adults disabled in activities of daily living. The results showed that the type of primary caregiver can have a significant impact on the mortality of disabled older adults in China. Interventions are needed to reduce unmet needs and manage care burden. Read the full article

This systematic review looked at the effects of interventions that support collaborative goal setting or health priority setting for elderly patients with chronic health conditions or multimorbidity. The results suggest that collaborative goal setting and/or health priority setting can be best integrated in complex care interventions, and further research is needed to determine the mix of essential elements in a multifactorial intervention. Read the full article

This study examined the relationship between the physical and mental strain experienced by family caregivers of chronically ill older adults and their resilience and hardiness. Read the full article

Women, highly educated individuals, and those spending more than 14 hours daily caring for patients were more likely to experience caregiver burden, as were those with depression and anxiety. It's important for us to recognise and address caregiver burden in palliative care. Read the full article

Assistive Technology and Telecare (ATT) is an increasingly important part of providing care and treatment for people living with dementia (PwD). This technology has the potential to extend valuable support to informal caregivers, such as family and friends, as well as formal care providers, such as healthcare professionals. Therefore, it is essential to identify the promotors and barriers for the implementation and adoption of ATT, in order to ensure its successful deployment in the future. Submit Read the full article

This study examines Chinese older adults’ preferred access models and service content of smart senior care and the factors affecting their willingness to choose smart senior care. By analyzing data from 760 community-dwelling older adults from Xuzhou, China, the study finds that personal, family, health, and other factors influence Chinese older adults’ willingness to choose smart senior care. Read the full article

This study provides insight into the treatment needs of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and their caregivers, and the extent to which the attending physicians understand these treatment needs. Through an observational study using questionnaires for patients, caregivers, and physicians, this study explored the top treatment needs of patients and caregivers and the concordance rate between patient-physician and caregiver-physician pairs. Read the full article

As the global population continues to age, the financial and public health impacts of Parkinson's disease are becoming more relevant. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) for people with Parkinson’s in one region of Ireland. Read the full article