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A BSTRACTS
Results: For the first aim, time of day and mobility were significant
predictors of positive affect displays;gender,age,and education were significant
predictors of negative affect displays. The results of the second
aim showed three distinctive trajectory groups for positive affect and
two groups for negative affect. Positive affect comprised three groups: 1)
a low stable group; 2) a fluctuating group displaying afternoon peaking;
and 3) a fluctuating group displaying morning peaking. Negative affect
included two groups: 1) a low stable group; and 2) a fluctuating group.
Conclusions: The present study showed that people with dementia
showed not only a considerable range of affect displays but also significant
within-person variation in positive and negative affects.Therefore,
a tailored intervention considering variations of affect display may
be required to improve emotional well-being of people with dementia.
D154
Stress in Adult Children Caring for Older Parents with Dementia: A
Pilot Study.
L. M. Solberg, 1 L. B. Solberg, 2 E. N. Peterson. 1 1. Internal Medicine,
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; 2. Office of Research, Meharry
Medical College, Nashville, TN.
Supported By: Robert E. Wise M.D. Research & Education
Institute, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA
Background: Adults caring for parents and their own children
are the “sandwich generation”. Their stress is noted in the behavioral
sciences, but largely absent in medical literature. Clinical experiences
showed adult children accompanying parents with dementia on clinic
visits verbalized distress. The objective of this IRB-approved descriptive
survey was to determine among a convenience sample of adult
children caring for their parent with dementia the prevalence and
severity of emotional and social changes and financial burden since
assuming caregiver role.
Methods: The study took place at a geriatric private practice.
Adult children caregivers completed a 51-item survey (Cronbach’s
alpha .80) on impact of the caregiving role on emotion, stress, and finances
and coping mechanisms. Of those surveyed 85/95(89%) were
returned. 45/85(47%) respondents were primary caregivers of demented
elderly parents and 18/45(47%) were of the “sandwich generation.”
Descriptive statistics were conducted using SPSS.
Results: On average caregivers were 54 years old, 36/45(80%)
women, 28/45(62%) were married, 38/45(84%) had children,
18/45(47%) were “sandwich generation.” There was no significant difference
in mean caregiver burden between the sandwich generation and
non-sandwich generation adult children. Caregivers reported little impact
on their professional lives. Over a third reported stress in caring for
the older adults’ daily needs, felt more irritable, and more feelings of
anxiety. 53% reported taking their parent to doctors’ appointments was
emotionally difficult. Participating in activities of interest/hobbies decreased,
but not time spent with friends. Helpful services were seminars
on care of demented parents (58%),meetings with social workers for resource
availability (63%), and seminars on coping mechanisms (53%).
Conclusions: Adult children caring for demented parents experienced
stress, anxiety, and sadness. Caregivers’ emotions were negatively
impacted but not their finances or careers. Emotional stress decreased
activities of interests, but not social interactions. Clinicians
need to direct attention to the caregivers’ emotional well being as
part of routine care of the elderly. Helpful coping mechanisms were
identified by the respondents. Further program development to support
adult children caregivers may be beneficial.
D155
Driving Habits of Seniors Over 80 and the Perceptions of Their
Relatives: When and How Should They Stop?
M. Majid, 1 N. Arif, 1 M. Akerman, 2 C. Nouryan, 1 G. Wolf-Klein. 1 1.
North Shore-LIJ Health System, New Hyde Park, NY; 2. Feinstein
Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY.
INTRODUCTION: The safety of older drivers has become an
increasing issue of concern in today’s environment. We surveyed drivers
over 80 years old and family members to explore driving habits
and comfort levels of both.
METHODS: Surveys were distributed in a geriatric outpatient
practice and subacute rehab facility to patients over the age of 80 who
were still driving and who were accompanied by a family member.
RESULTS: Of the 74 surveys completed, drivers were, on average,
85.5 yo, male (57%), and college or graduate school educated
(69%); 81% rated driving as important or essential. Half (49%) reported
driving with passengers. Most (65%) drove at least 5 days a
week, and on highways (81%), in rain (78%), at night (59%) or in
snow (41%). A quarter (24%) admitted getting lost and 27% reported
having a fall. When asked who they would rely on if they could
no longer drive, 43% indicated children, 26% friends, 16% car service,
and 14% spouse.
When comparing surveys between octogenarian drivers and relatives,
81% rated themselves as “good” or “excellent” drivers while
relatives rated them significantly less (58%, p=0.0342). When asked if
the subject should still be driving, 11% of drivers and 42% of relatives
answered “no” or “not sure” (p=0.0027).
When asked which medical conditions would force driving cessation,
drivers had lower percentages than their relatives for all answers
except visual loss as follows: worsening medical conditions
(32% v 62% respectively, p=0.0104); hearing loss (14% v 32%,
p=0.0531); mobility issues (35% v 54%, p=0.1016); and visual loss
(59% v 59%, p=1.00). When asked whether “anyone ever recommended
that you/they stop driving”, 13.5% of drivers and 23% of relatives
answered “yes” to the question (p=0.3594). Drivers reported
that recommendations to stop driving only came from children
(100%), but their relatives reported that spouses (11%), children
(67%) and friends (22%) had all advised in on the subject.
CONCLUSION: In general, octogenarian drivers were rarely
told to stop driving. They rated themselves as significantly better drivers
than their relatives did, and seldom admitted that they should not
be driving, despite their relatives’ opinion.
D156
Evidence for “accelerated aging” in older adults with disability?
I. R. Molton, M. C. Goetz, M. Jensen, A. M. Verrall. Rehabilitation
Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Supported By: This project is supported by a grant from the
Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133B080024.
BACKGROUND: Improvements in medical care have led to
longer life-spans for people with disabilities acquired early in life.
However, there is some evidence that these improvements in
longevity are offset by increased rates of medical conditions, due to a
more rapid decline of organ system functioning in persons with disability.
This phenomenon has been called “accelerated aging.” However,
the existence of this phenomenon has not been adequately established
in large samples with adequate age-matched controls.
METHODS: The present study assessed self-reported rates of
certain medical conditions in a large national sample of people with
either spinal cord injury (n=540), post-polio syndrome (446), muscular
dystrophy (382) or multiple sclerosis (640), and compared them to
normative data taken from the National Health Interview Survey
(NHIS) of more than 21,000 adults. Health conditions assessed included
hypertension, coronary artery disease, cancer, diabetes, pain
conditions, and vision trouble. Comparisons were conducted in four
age bands: 18-44, 45-65, 65-75, 75+. Chi-square and independent samples
t-tests were used for all analyses.
RESULTS:Participants in the experimental sample were primarily
Caucasian (92%) and female (63.3%), with an average age of 54.5 years.
Results suggested that, across age bands, individuals with disabilities reported
greater rates of hypertension, arthritis, joint pain and difficulties
with vision (all p values < 0.05). However, in more advanced age bands
(65-75 and 75+), adults with disabilities also reported greater frequency
of organ system diseases (diabetes, coronary artery disease, and cancer)
than were present in age matched national norms (all p values < 0.01).
AGS 2012 ANNUAL MEETING
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