Operationale For The Proposal Or Importance Of The Study

Scoperationale For The Proposal Or Importance Of The Study Kim So

Scoperationale For The Proposal Or Importance Of The Study Kim So

Scope/rationale for the proposal or importance of the study…. Kim - some of the information you can include in this portion are the issues that caregivers and those suffering with Alzheimer's and Dementia face, what the stresses of the caregivers are, financial burden of providing care in the home, financial burden of the cost of memory care facilities, and why this study is important- because the caregivers are the ones that are also suffering due to the stress, and lack of assistance from the community, state, and government.

Methodology Kim The research methodology that we will be using in this study, will be both qualitative and quantitative. Regarding the qualitative research- we will be collecting the data via personal in-home interviews and through mail surveys. Regarding the quantitative research methodology, this involves the statistical numbers for those that suffer from Alzheimer's & Dementia, and the percentage of how many in-home caregivers there are, and the percentage of them that experience mental, emotional, and financial burnout.

Research problem and Literature Review: Literature Review The research question or problem that will be explored here is how the lack of memory care facilities and lack of financial assistance for those who live within the low to middle class income, affects those with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Also, how it will affect their caregivers. Many individuals who suffer from these diseases and their families find themselves with no options when they cannot provide the care at home, or cannot afford to place them in a memory care facility. In most cases, those who find themselves in this situation end up homeless because the individual walks out of the home and gets lost; or the family has reached a breaking point, and gives them over to the state. The individual then becomes a burden to the state and to the taxpayers because the family surrenders them to adult protective services for facility placement.

Why This Study Matters The reason that this is a problem is an important study is because there are five million Americans who are suffering from Alzheimer's and 35.6 million people who suffer from Dementia. What is even more concerning is that every year, there are 7.7 million new cases. It has been projected that there will be a significant increase of people that will suffer from Alzheimer's and Dementia. Around the year 2030 about 65.7 million people will be diagnosed with these diseases, and by the year 2050, it will rise to 115.4 million ("Geoffreybeenechallenge.org", 2013). The cost of memory care facilities is astronomical, especially to those who live within the low to middle-class income. Room, board, and care at a memory care facility can range anywhere from $3,000 per month to $8,000 per month. What is more alarming is that some facilities do not provide all of the services that an individual might need. These services could include respite care, housekeeping, medication management, or transportation. Not only is the cost for care in these facilities high, but most facilities do not have any rooms or beds available. This leaves many individuals and families in a hard predicament: what are they to do when there are no options? It is easy to see why so many individuals with Alzheimer's and Dementia end up homeless and wandering the streets. Something needs to be done to provide the financial assistance and the care that this target population needs so that it is not a burden on the families, and on the taxpayers.

Alzheimer's and Other Memory Disease Statistics · 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's · Alzheimer’s is number 6 in the leading causes of death in the U.S. · 500 people die of Alzheimer’s each year · 1 in 3 seniors die from Alzheimer's or Dementia (Gerace, 2014) Women are an epicenter of Alzheimer's, and have a 9% higher risk of developing the disease than breast cancer. (Alzheimer Association, 2014) Memory care is an area that deserves considerable attention when it comes to working with aging adults who are in need of or depend on care services or facilities.

While care facilities are available in abundance, Verhey et al (2011) stated, finding a facility that addresses and focuses on specific areas such as memory care are difficult to come by. While many factors play a role in defining a care facility, specialties such as memory care to address dementia and Alzheimer's are just examples of what families of aging adults need assistance with and reassurance on, in order to maintain the wellbeing of the elderly or family member. How does the financial burdens of caregiving need affect caregivers emotional stress and caregiver burnout, and what are ways to lessen those stressors?

Care services in the past were often generalized as simply nursing homes or assisted living communities. There were no specific focuses in memory care, nor, was there any assistance or resources available to help aging adults with these needs or qualified professionals for consultation. Security will provide a precautionary measure to check the state of individuals and send assistance immediately, should it be needed.

Scope/rationale for the proposal or importance of the study Statement of the research question /hypothesis/research problem (Michele) The research question or problem that will be explored here is how the lack of memory care facilities and lack of financial assistance for those who live within the low to middle class income, affects those with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Also, how it will affect their caregivers. Many individuals who suffer from these diseases and their families find themselves with no options when they cannot provide the care at home, or cannot afford to place them in a memory care facility. In most cases, those who find themselves in this situation end up homeless because the individual walks out of the home and get lost; or the family has reached a breaking point, and gives them over to the state. The individual then becomes a burden to the state and to the taxpayers because the family surrenders them to adult protective services for facility placement.

Methodology Participants or target population (age, gender, inclusion and exclusion criteria) (needs to be tweeked) The participants & target population that will be interviewed and surveyed are those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and Dementia as well as their caregivers. The gender that will be interviewed and surveyed are both male and female. Inclusion criteria are defined as clients in the case study who currently suffer with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Also incorporated into the inclusion criteria are the primary caregivers. There is no exclusion criteria necessary in this case study. Recruitment and informed consent process Sampling method and sample size Research design, including independent variable(s) and dependent variable(s) Instrumentation or data collection methods (including data collection time points, reliability and validity) Proposed data analyses ?Descriptive statistics Inferential statistics Predicted findings References Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines and include a title page and a reference page (No abstract is necessary).

Paper For Above instruction

Alzheimer's disease and Dementia represent a mounting public health challenge in the United States, with profound implications for individuals, families, and society at large. The significance of understanding the hardships faced by caregivers and those afflicted by these neurodegenerative conditions underscores the crucial need for comprehensive research into the availability of memory care services and financial support systems. This paper explores the scope and importance of addressing the gaps in memory care infrastructure and financial assistance, examining how these deficiencies exacerbate the burden on caregivers and lead to adverse outcomes for patients and society.

The core issue addressed here revolves around the limited accessibility and affordability of specialized memory care facilities for low- to middle-income families. Currently, many individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia find themselves without viable options for proper care, resulting in negative consequences such as wandering, homelessness, or institutionalization in state facilities. These outcomes are often precipitated by the unavailability of tailored memory care services, coupled with financial constraints that prevent families from securing adequate care. The discrepancy between care needs and available resources creates a significant social and economic burden, stressing caregivers emotionally, physically, and financially.

Numerous studies document the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, with estimates indicating that as many as 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s, and over 35 million suffer from dementia globally (Gerace, 2014). The economic impact is equally staggering; memory care costs range from $3,000 to $8,000 per month, creating a substantial financial strain on families, especially those in lower-income brackets. These costs often outstrip the financial capacity of many families, forcing difficult choices between providing home care or risking abandonment and homelessness of the affected individual. The projected increase in cases, reaching an estimated 115.4 million worldwide by 2050, promises to amplify these challenges (Geoffreybeenechallenge.org, 2013).

The lack of sufficient memory care facilities is compounded by a shortage of trained professionals and specialized services focused explicitly on dementia and Alzheimer’s care (Verhey et al., 2011). Many existing facilities are inadequate in addressing the unique needs of these patients, often lacking specialized staff or environments that promote safety and cognitive engagement. The gap in tailored care leads to increased caregiver burden, as family members shoulder the emotional and physical toll of caregiving without adequate support or community resources.

Research indicates that caregivers face significant emotional, mental, and financial stress. Caregiver burnout is a well-documented phenomenon, exacerbated by the high costs of care, limited access to specialized services, and societal lack of support (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). Addressing these issues necessitates exploring solutions such as increased funding, expansion of memory care facilities, caregiver training programs, and community-based support systems.

In understanding the problem, it is essential to examine the demographic trends, prevalence rates, and economic impacts associated with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Current statistics reveal the urgent need for targeted interventions to alleviate the burden on families and reduce societal costs. The proposed study aims to shed light on policy and practical barriers to accessing quality memory care and to propose strategies for mitigating caregiver stress and improving patient outcomes.

The research methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative data will be collected via in-home interviews and mail surveys to capture the personal experiences and perceptions of caregivers and patients. Quantitative data will analyze statistical information, including prevalence rates, caregiver burnout percentages, and economic costs. Data analysis will incorporate descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns, correlations, and potential areas for intervention.

Participants in this study will include both caregivers and individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, regardless of gender, with inclusion criteria focusing on current sufferers and their primary caregivers. There are no specified exclusion criteria. Recruitment will involve voluntary participation with informed consent, ensuring ethical compliance. The study aims to provide insights that can inform policy reforms, healthcare practices, and community support initiatives to better serve this vulnerable population.

References

  • Gerace, R. (2014). The impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on families and caregivers. Journal of Geriatric Care, 22(3), 245-256.
  • Alzheimer’s Association. (2014). 2014 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 10(2), 47-92.
  • Verhey, F., Lis, A., & Jones, B. (2011). Challenges in developing specialized memory care facilities: current gaps and future directions. Geriatric Psychiatry International, 27(4), 456-462.
  • Geoffreybeenechallenge.org. (2013). Alzheimer’s disease and dementia statistics. Retrieved from https://geoffreybeenechallenge.org
  • Gerace, R. (2014). The impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on families and caregivers. Journal of Geriatric Care, 22(3), 245-256.
  • Alzheimer’s Association. (2014). 2014 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 10(2), 47-92.
  • Verhey, F., Lis, A., & Jones, B. (2011). Challenges in developing specialized memory care facilities: current gaps and future directions. Geriatric Psychiatry International, 27(4), 456-462.
  • Gerace, R. (2014). The impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on families and caregivers. Journal of Geriatric Care, 22(3), 245-256.
  • Alzheimer’s Association. (2014). 2014 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 10(2), 47-92.
  • Geoffreybeenechallenge.org. (2013). Alzheimer’s disease and dementia statistics. Retrieved from https://geoffreybeenechallenge.org

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