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Taking Care of the Dyad: Frequency of Caregiver Assessment Among Veterans with Dementia
Davis ML, Hendrickson J, Wilson N, Shrestha S, Amspoker AB, Kunik M.. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2019-04-19
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Objectives This study assessed frequency of caregiver identification and needs of a sample of persons with dementia (PWDs) and their caregivers to determine whether needs were addressed and whether documentation increased with growing levels of self-reported relationship problems and burden. Design Cross-sectional design using data from electronic medical record (EMR) review and baseline research assessments (Burden Interview and Mutuality Scale). Items from a caregiver assessment tool were used to identify documentation of important factors in clinical guidelines. Setting Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX. Participants A total of 211 PWDs from a randomized controlled trial testing a psychosocial intervention for preventing aggression in PWDs. Measurements EMRs for 12 months before participation in the original study were abstracted, using a tool created by the authors to assess documentation of information deemed important to caregiver assessment in clinical guidelines (eg, caregiver needs, caregiver well-being, and caregiving context). The first two authors reviewed the EMRs, adjusting the tool, based on questions that arose. Results Of 211 EMRs of PWDs reviewed, 177 (89%) identified caregivers. Of these, 88% identified the caregiver by name or relation to the PWD, 28% assessed caregiver well-being, and 41% assessed caregiver needs. All EMRs assessing caregiver needs showed provision of caregiver support (including psychoeducation, skills training, or referrals for additional aid). Levels of self-reported caregiver burden were not associated with documentation of assessment; however, higher levels of self-reported relationship problems were positively associated with increased caregiver contact documentation and negatively associated with caregiver need documentation and Alzheimer Association referrals. Conclusion Healthcare providers identified caregivers in most of the sample, but less than 50% assessed their well-being and needs. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1604-1609, 2019.
Key findings
- Results Of 211 EMRs of PWDs reviewed, 177 (89%) identified caregivers.
- Levels of self-reported caregiver burden were not associated with documentation of assessment; however, higher levels of self-reported relationship problems were positively associated with increased caregiver contact documentation and negatively associated with caregiver need documentation and Alzheimer Association referrals.
Why it matters
This study reviewed medical records of 211 veterans with dementia and found that caregiver well-being and needs were assessed in only a minority of cases. It highlights gaps in caregiver assessment in clinical practice, not a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designrandomized controlled trial
- Participants211
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 56/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: journal h-index 344 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2019 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 211 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 6 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.7 citations a year over 9 year(s) since 2019 |
| Impact for its field and year | 1 / 6 | Cited 0.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Mark E. Kunik: h-index 63 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Baylor College of Medicine: institution h-index 1,607 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 31002403) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 56 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
May need a subscription Unpaywall, Europe PMC and OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 10 Oct 2026), so the publisher may charge for it. The PubMed abstract is free.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Davis, M. L., Hendrickson, J., Wilson, N., Shrestha, S., Amspoker, A. B., & Kunik, M. (2019). Taking Care of the Dyad: Frequency of Caregiver Assessment Among Veterans with Dementia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15882
Vancouver
Davis ML, Hendrickson J, Wilson N, Shrestha S, Amspoker AB, Kunik M. Taking Care of the Dyad: Frequency of Caregiver Assessment Among Veterans with Dementia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2019. doi:10.1111/jgs.15882. PMID: 31002403.
BibTeX
@article{davis2019-31002403,
author = {Davis, M. L. and Hendrickson, J. and Wilson, N. and Shrestha, S. and Amspoker, A. B. and Kunik, M.},
title = {{Taking Care of the Dyad: Frequency of Caregiver Assessment Among Veterans with Dementia}},
journal = {Journal of the American Geriatrics Society},
year = {2019},
doi = {10.1111/jgs.15882},
pmid = {31002403},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15882}
}
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