Uncovering nutrition needs in dyads of caregivers and persons with dementia.

IF 3.4 3区医学 Q2 NEUROSCIENCES

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Pub Date : 2025-02-16 DOI:10.1177/13872877251317737

Heather D Gibbs, Matthew K Taylor, Cheryl Gibson, Rebecca R Mount, Austin Sullivan, Kristine Williams, Debra K Sullivan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Nutrition risk is common in Alzheimer's disease and is associated with symptoms of dementia, cognitive decline, institutionalization, and mortality. Family caregivers who increasingly manage nutrition needs of persons with dementia (PWD) experience high caregiver burden, low health literacy, and nutrition risk. Few interventions for informal caregivers have included nutrition.

Objective: To inform design of a future caregiver nutrition intervention.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a convergent mixed methods approach to 1) assess nutrition status among PWD and caregiver dyads (measures in common included Mini Nutrition Assessment, skin carotenoid, and handgrip strength), and 2) interview caregivers to identify needs and barriers for nutrition intervention. We hypothesized caregiver nutrition literacy is associated with PWD nutrition risk. Data collected in nutrition assessment and interviews were analyzed separately then side-by-side for comparison.

Results: Of 50 dyads, 48% had at least one individual exhibiting nutrition risk, and nutrition status categories (χ²= 6.25, p = 0.012) between caregivers and PWD were related. Caregiver nutrition literacy was associated with 1) PWD factors including nutrition risk (rho = 0.244), body mass index (BMI) (rho = 0.421), handgrip strength (rho = 0.283), and skin carotenoid (rho = 0.351), and 2) Caregiver factors including nutrition risk (rho = 0.304), diet quality (rho = 0.304), and BMI (rho = 0.333). Interviews with 18 caregivers found caregivers prioritize PWD nutrition, provide more PWD nutrition care since diagnosis, experience social isolation, and would attend nutrition interventions if PWD are included.

Conclusions: Nutrition risk was more common among caregivers when PWD demonstrated nutrition risk. Factors present in individuals within the dyad were associated with partner nutrition risk. Future research should identify effective approaches for intervening on dyadic nutrition risk.

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来源期刊

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

7.50%

发文量

1327

审稿时长

2 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Alzheimer''s Disease (JAD) is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer''s disease. The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, hypotheses, ethics reviews, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor. The journal is dedicated to providing an open forum for original research that will expedite our fundamental understanding of Alzheimer''s disease.