RED ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Running head: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RESEARCH PROPOSAL Alzheimer’s Disease Research Proposal The number of people living with the Alzheimer’s disease has steadily risen in America. By the start of 2016, approximately 5.4 million Americans of all ages had the Alzheimer’s disease. The disease is expected to escalate and will have tripled by 2050 (Allegris, 2014). These patients need supervision and daily assistance in all their activities due to their psychotic features, activity impairment, depression, and behavioral disturbances hence place an immense burden on their caregiver. Moreover, the general members of the patient's family have registered lower life satisfaction compared to the overall population (Kiecolt, 2015) These caregiving demands require the care giver to either stop working or reduce their working hours which may lead to resentment or feeling of isolation. The caregiver may not only be responsible for the care of the patient but the whole family. Additionally, it may lead to financial stress for the caregivers since 75% of the patients are given care at their homes. The burden caused to caregiver includes psychological, physical and economic constructs (Dunkin, 2014) Significance of the study Research has shown that caregivers spend approximately 60 hours per week playing their caregiving role. Caregiver burden is usually manifested by depression or ill health. Caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease patients take an estimated excess of 85% prescribed medications pay 50% approximately 50% more visits to their respective physicians compared their non-caregiving peers (Allegris, 2014). The growing emphasis on informal support and the consequent drive for a community-based approach in caregiving has increased the need for caregiver burden attention. ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE It has become essential to study the burden of the caregiver in providing care for the Alzheimer’s disease patients to design and implement appropriate intervention strategies (Kiecolt, 2015) Statement of the problem Research has established the impact of patient characteristics on caregiver burden which include financial constraints, depression and psychological distress which has had a great impact on the caregiver-patient relationship. Studies have also shown that decline in function, cognition and behavior are linked to psychological distress and caregiver burden (Allegris, 2014). The need to allocate more time for the patient as compared to other family member’s further increases medical problems and stress to the caregiver. The advancement in technology has enhanced better medical care for patients which has increased life expectancy, acute ailments have therefore led to chronic disorders hence making caregiving to last for years (Dunkin, 2014). Pharmacological treatment of AD patients by using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors has proven to be effective on behavioral problems, cognition, and daily living activities hence reduced caregiver burden. Additionally, combining the approach with a caregiver psychological intervention has been even more efficient for optimal management (Kiecolt, 2015) Purpose of study The overall role of the caregiver determines the well-being of the patient hence the treatment and results of the patient's care. Therefore, the role of the caregiver is essential and should not be overlooked. According to researchers, the characteristics of the caregiver determines the outcome of the patient progress and the burden he or she feels. Managing of the Alzheimer’s disease begins with caring for and supporting the caregiver (Allegris, 2014). Developing tools that can be used to assess the burden of the caregiver is also an important step. Facilitating research aimed at recommending appropriate intervention measures has become a ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE necessity. These measures range from support services, education, and drug therapies. Researchers have laid emphasis on education as one of the most effective measures that enlighten caregivers on stress management, goal setting for easier caregiving and provides them with appropriate caregiving skills (Dunkin, 2014)