Res Community Public Health Nurs.  2024 Jun;35(2):156-167. 10.12799/rcphn.2024.00556.

Priorities of Family Caregivers in Preserving Functional Abilities of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease Living at Home: A Best-Worst Scaling Approach

• KMID: 2557096
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2024.00556

Abstract

Purpose
The decline in cognitive abilities among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease significantly impacts their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), creating challenges and stress for their caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the priorities of family caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with Alzheimer's disease concerning the preservation of their loved ones' ADLs.
Methods
We employed a cross-sectional design with a best-worst scaling approach (BWS), and developed a BWS questionnaire utilizing the 10 daily living items from the Disability Assessment for Alzheimer’s Disease scale. This questionnaire was administered to 132 caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS WIN 21.0 and the R statistical program.
Results
The results revealed that "using the toilet without accidents" emerged as the top-ranked ADL that family caregivers preferred to preserve for the longest duration among individuals with Alzheimer's disease living at home. In contrast, "Managing money appropriately" was identified as a daily living activity considered relatively less critical to preserve. The study further indicated a preference among caregivers for preserving physical ADLs over instrumental ADLs.
Conclusion
This research provides clinical evidence shedding light on the priorities of family caregivers in preserving the functional abilities of individuals with Alzheimer's disease within the community.