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Abstract Details

The Influence of Neurodegenerative Disease on Older Veterans and Their Family Caregivers
Aging, Dementia, and Behavioral Neurology
P5 - Poster Session 5 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)
9-014
To characterize community-dwelling older veterans living with neurodegenerative disease (ND) and the impact on their family caregivers (CG).
The progressive nature of ND leads not only to declines in activities of daily living (ADL) functioning and related increasing dependency but often also to prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms. These additional features can contribute to adverse physical and psychological impacts on the family CGs of these patients. 
A cross-sectional Qualtrics-based online survey to English-speaking adult CGs of older US veterans (≥65 yo) with high medical complexity who need assistance attending medical visits. Analyses included descriptive statistics and bivariate comparisons.

Approximately 27% of respondents (137/511) were CGs for an older adult with ND. Older adults with ND were more likely to have had an inpatient stay (76.6% vs. 57.8%) or ER visit (78.1% vs. 58.3%) in the previous year than those without ND. Those with ND had higher ADL independence (p <0.0001) but lower IADL independence (p < 0.0001). Veterans with ND demonstrated greater problematic neuropsychiatric behaviors in the hours preceding an in-person medical appointment (16.1% vs. 9.6%), and their CGs reported greater stress during the medical visits (35.0% vs. 19.3%). CGs assisting those with ND reported poorer Quality of Life (QoL) (p = 0.018).

Based on the reports of family CGs, older adult veterans with ND require more assistance with IADLS, are more likely to be hospitalized, and exhibit more behavioral disruption related to medical visits than those without ND. These factors not only partially explain the lower QoL among caregivers of people with dementia and other ND disorders but highlight potential opportunities to decrease patient stress and caregiver burden through efforts to reduce in-person medical appointments, such as through telemedicine. 
Authors/Disclosures
Lauren R. Moo, MD, FÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (VA Bedford Healthcare System)
PRESENTER 		Dr. Moo has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Pilltrax. An immediate family member of Dr. Moo has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Taylor and Francis. Dr. Moo has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Smith Mirabella Blake. The institution of Dr. Moo has received research support from VA HSR&D. The institution of Dr. Moo has received research support from VA Office of Rural Health. Dr. Moo has received research support from NIH.
Steven Shirk Steven Shirk has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Grant Reviewer with ICRG.
Victoria Ngo Victoria Ngo has nothing to disclose.
Elizabeth (Beth) Marfeo (Tufts University Department of Community Health) Elizabeth (Beth) Marfeo has nothing to disclose.
Maria Venegas (Center for Healthcare Organization & Implementation Research Geriatric Research) No disclosure on file
Bret Hicken No disclosure on file
Elizabeth Chamberlin Elizabeth Chamberlin has nothing to disclose.