Characteristics of Informal Caregivers and Social Participation of People with Dementia
Conference Year
2023
Abstract
Social participation is associated with increased quality of life and well-being among people with dementia (PwD). This study aimed to identify characteristics of informal caregivers associated with social participation of PwD in meaningful activities. Data from the National Health and Aging Tends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) was analyzed. Social participation of PwD was not independently associated with the relationship (spouse, child, other) or personal characteristics of the primary caregiver. Instead, social participation of PwD was associated with the primary caregiver being socially active themselves, utilizing support services, and travel time to the PwD home.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Nancy Gell
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Second Student College
Patrick Leahy Honors College
Program/Major
Health Sciences
Primary Research Category
Social Science
Characteristics of Informal Caregivers and Social Participation of People with Dementia
Social participation is associated with increased quality of life and well-being among people with dementia (PwD). This study aimed to identify characteristics of informal caregivers associated with social participation of PwD in meaningful activities. Data from the National Health and Aging Tends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) was analyzed. Social participation of PwD was not independently associated with the relationship (spouse, child, other) or personal characteristics of the primary caregiver. Instead, social participation of PwD was associated with the primary caregiver being socially active themselves, utilizing support services, and travel time to the PwD home.