This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Teel, C. S. Articles by Press, A. N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Teel, C. S. Articles by Press, A. N. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Fatigue among Elders in Caregiving and Noncaregiving Roles

University of Kansas Medical Center, School of Nursing

Allan N. Press

School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas

Carolyn L. Lindgren

Wayne State University

Elizabeth G. Nichols

College of Nursing, University of North Dakota

Cynthia S. Teel

University of Kansas School of Nursing

Allan N. Press

University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare

Fatigue is a complex symptom prevalent in informal caregiving. When role demands exceed caregiver resources, fatigue ensues and caregiving can be compromised. The purpose of this study was to compare perceptions of fatigue among older adults (N = 92) caring for spouses with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or cancer with a control group of older adults (N = 33) whose spouses required no extra care. Caregiving elders reported more fatigue, less energy, and more sleep difficulty than did control participants. All caregiving groups reported similar levels of fatigue, energy, sleep, and self-reported health even though there were marked differences regarding spousal status. Health care providers can support older caregivers in monitoring their own health and in recognizing the need for services that support the caregiving role.

Western Journal of Nursing Research, Vol. 21, No. 4, 498-520 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/01939459922044009


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. A. Beaudreau, A. P. Spira, H. L. Gray, C. A. Depp, J. Long, M. Rothkopf, and D. Gallagher-Thompson The Relationship Between Objectively Measured Sleep Disturbance and Dementia Family Caregiver Distress and Burden J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, September 1, 2008; 21(3): 159 - 165. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Son, A. Erno, D. G. Shea, E. E. Femia, S. H. Zarit, and M. A. Parris Stephens The Caregiver Stress Process and Health Outcomes J Aging Health, December 1, 2007; 19(6): 871 - 887. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. P. Spira, L. Friedman, A. Flint, and J. I. Sheikh Interaction of Sleep Disturbances and Anxiety in Later Life: Perspectives and Recommendations for Future Research J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, June 1, 2005; 18(2): 109 - 115. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. L. Akkerman and S. K. Ostwald Reducing anxiety in Alzheimer's disease family caregivers: The effectiveness of a nine-week cognitive-behavioral intervention American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, March 1, 2004; 19(2): 117 - 123. [Abstract] [PDF]

				W. E. HALEY, R. S. ALLEN, S. REYNOLDS, H. CHEN, A. BURTON, and D. GALLAGHER-THOMPSON Family Issues in End-of-life Decision Making and End-of-life Care American Behavioral Scientist, October 1, 2002; 46(2): 284 - 298. [Abstract] [PDF]