The Role Of GPs In Supporting Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia In Singapore

@#Caregiver interventions have been shown to reduce caregiver depression, the burden of care, and improve their health and quality of life. Caregiver support also benefits the person with dementia (PWD). It is important to recognise that caregivers need caring too. Caregivers of PWD are usually middle-aged daughters and sons followed by spouses. Foreign domestic helpers also play a pivotal role in Singapore. Stressors arising from caregiving change at different stages of the disease. As the disease progresses into the advanced stages, stress from dealing with behavioural problems can lessen as the burden from coping with physical and functional impairments increases. For this reason, caregiver interventions should be stage appropriate. There is a need to create a positive experience in the GP consultation with the important elements of early diagnosis, providing stage specific information and interventions, and up-to-date information on dementia resources available in the community. The role of the GP in supporting the caregiver is more important than ever amid the current COVID-19 pandemic.

THE ROLE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS IN HELPING CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA

@#Caregiver interventions have been shown to reduce caregiver depression, burden of care, and improve their health and quality of life. Caregiver support also benefits the person with dementia (PWD). It is important to recognise that caregivers too, need care. Caregivers of PWD are usually middle-aged daughters and sons followed by spouses. Foreign domestic workers also play a pivotal role in Singapore. Stressors arising from caregiving change at different stages of the disease. As the disease progresses into the advanced stages, stress from having to deal with behavioural problems can lessen as the burden from coping with functional impairments increases. For this reason, caregiver interventions should be stage appropriate. There is a need to work towards creating a positive experience in the GP consultation with the important elements of early diagnosis, providing stage specific information and interventions, and up-to-date information on dementia resources available in the community

Asociación entre síntomas depresivos del cuidador principal y problemas conductuales en una muestra de preescolares chilenos de 30 a 48 meses de edad / Association between primary caregiver depressive symptoms and behavioral problems in a sample of chilean preschool children age 30 to 48 months

Resumen Introducción: La salud mental del cuidador influye en el desarrollo de los niños; sin embargo, desconocemos si existe una asociación entre síntomas depresivos del cuidador y problemas conductuales en preescolares chilenos. El objetivo fue analizar la asociación entre los síntomas depresivos del cuidador principal y la presencia de problemas conductuales en preescolares usuarios de la red pública de salud chilena. Método: Estudio transversal. Muestreo por conglomerados estratificados bietápico. Muestra de 1.377 preescolares de 2,5-4 años y sus cuidadores principales. Con consentimiento informado se aplicó encuesta sociodemográfica y Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5. Los síntomas depresivos del cuidador se evaluaron mediante Entrevista Diagnóstica Internacional Compuesta abreviada. Resultados: Edad promedio del preescolar 40,95 ± 4,6 meses, 51,3% varones. 97,5% fueron cuidadoras mujeres, edad promedio 31,6 ± 10,2 años y escolaridad 9,5 años. Se encontró problemas conductuales de rango clínico en las tres escalas: total de problemas conductuales 21,4%, conductas internalizantes 23,1% y externalizantes 16,4%. Se encontró sintomatologia depresiva en 9,1% de los cuidadores, la que aumenta a 14,5,% y 16,1% en cuidadores de preescolares con conductas internalizantes y externalizantes respectivamente. En el análisis de regresión logística multinomial ajustando por variables confundentes, la asociación bivariada con los problemas conductuales internalizantes desaparece, sin embargo, se mantiene para el total de problemas conductuales y conductas externalizantes. Conclusiones: La asociación entre síntomas depresivos del cuidador y problemas conductuales en preescolares chilenos es consistente y modulada por otras variables médicas y psicosociales, esto sugiere la importancia de la identificación, prevención e intervención temprana de la díada y su entorno.

Introduction: The mental health of the caregiver influences the development of children; however we do not know if there is an association between depressive symptoms of the caregiver and behavioral problems in Chilean preschoolers. The objective was to analyze the association between primary caregiver depressive symptoms and behavioral problems in preschoolers users of the Chilean public health network. Method: Cross-sectional study. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling. Sample 1377 preschool children 2,5-4 years old and their primary caregivers. In order to assess child behavior, a sociodemographic survey and Child Behavior Checklist ½-5 we applied to each caregiver, under informed consent. Caregiver depressive symptoms were assessed using the International Diagnostic Composite Interview Short Form. Results: Preschool age was 40.95 ± 4.6 months, 51.3% were boys. 97.5% of caregivers were female, (ages 31.6 ± 10.2 yr, average schooling 9.5 years). Behavioral problems of clinical rank were found in the three scales: total behavioral problems 21.4%, internalizing 23.1%, and externalizing behaviors 16.4%. 9.1% of caregivers experienced depressive symptomatology. In preschool children with internalizing behavioral, caregivers showed depressive symptoms in 14,5% of cases, and 16,1% in those with an externalizing behavioral. In multinomial logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding variables, bivariate association for internalizing behavioral problems was lost, but persisted for total behavioral problems and for externalizing behavioral. Conclusions: The association between caregiver's depressive symptoms and behavioral problems in Chilean preschool children is consistent and modulated by other medical and psychosocial variables, suggesting the importance of identification, prevention and early intervention of the dyad and their environment.

The Role of GPs in Helping Caregivers of Persons with Dementia

Caregiver interventions have been shown to reduce caregiver depression, burden of care, and improve their health and quality of life. Caregiver support also benefits the person with dementia (PWD). It is important to recognise that caregivers too need care. Caregivers of PWD are usually middle-aged daughters and sons followed by spouses. Foreign domestic helpers also play a pivotal role in Singapore. Stressors arising from caregiving change at different stages of the disease. As the disease progresses into the advanced stages, stress from having to deal with behavioural problems can lessen as the burden from coping with functional impairments increases. For this reason, caregiver interventions should be stage appropriate. There is a need to work towards creating a positive experience in the GP consultation with the important elements of early diagnosis, providing stage specific information and interventions, and up-to-date information on dementia resources available in the community.