CAREGIVERS OF PARENTS WITH AlZHEIMER’S DISEASE: QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CAREGIVERS: PERSPECTIVES & FAMILY DYNAMICS

This study furthers Alzheimer’s family literature regarding the impact of caregiver attachment, readiness to provide care, and caregiver quality of life. A sample of 33 participants caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease in the state of Kentucky was recruited to complete a questionnaire for the study. The questionnaire consisted of an online survey about participants’ experiences and attachments growing up with their parents, their experiences becoming caregivers to their parents with Alzheimer’s disease, and participants’ current perspectives of their own quality of life. Positive perspectives in regards to quality of life among caregivers seem to be a predictor of both stronger readiness to care and stronger attachments. These finding inform therapists about the importance of recognizing a caregiver’s presenting problems of burden and their significance to attachment and readiness to provide such care. This recognition may impact therapy to strengthen a caregiver’s positive adaption, thus it may also decrease burden