A CRITICAL REVIEW OF DISCHARGE PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING EXPERIENCE OF DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS
2024

Discharge Planning for Dementia Caregivers

publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Oppong Kwaku Duah, Kwak Jung

Primary Institution: The University of Texas Austin

Hypothesis

What are the decision-making experiences of family caregivers for persons living with dementia?

Conclusion

Family caregivers of persons living with dementia often feel unsupported and face challenges in the discharge planning process.

Supporting Evidence

  • Persons living with dementia are more likely to be hospitalized and have poorer outcomes.
  • Few studies focus on the experiences of dementia caregivers in discharge planning.
  • Caregivers reported feeling unsupported by healthcare providers during discharge.

Takeaway

Taking care of someone with dementia is hard, and caregivers often don't get the help they need when it's time to leave the hospital.

Methodology

A systematic review of qualitative studies published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted.

Potential Biases

The studies reviewed were atheoretical and may not represent a broad range of experiences.

Limitations

Only four qualitative studies were reviewed, and they lacked diversity and methodological rigor.

Participant Demographics

The sample included family caregivers and persons living with dementia, with only one study conducted in the United States.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0667

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