• Utilize the following questions to spark discussion on the impact that being a caregiver has on Karen. This discussion can be done in a large class setting, a smaller seminar environment, or an online discussion group.

1. What are your concerns about Karen?
2. What is the cause of the concern?
3. What information do you need?
4. What are you going to do about it?
5. What is Karen experiencing?

 

Adapted from: Benner, P., Sutphen, M., Leonard, V., Day, L., & Shulman, L. (2010). Paradigm case: Lisa Day, classroom and clinical instructor. In Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation (p. 133). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

• Ask students to write a reflective piece on how Karen is coping with her mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia. Have them consider the constant adjustments Karen must make as Judy faces the transitions of her disease. In addition, have them reflect on the impact on both Karen and Judy as the roles of mother and daughter is being reversed. 
• Assign students the following topics after listening to the monologue and discussing the impact of caregiver strain. They can review the literature either independently or in small groups on the topic. These topics are part of the evolving body of knowledge specific to care of the Alzheimer’s patient.

1. The impact of caregiver strain on the morbidity and mortality of the caregiver
2. The role of caregiver strain in elder abuse
3. The influence of caregiver burnout on behavioral issues in the patient with Alzheimer’s dementia
4. The impact on the quality of relationships of the individual caretaking of a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia
5. The guilt response in the caretaker of the Alzheimer’s patient
6. The effect of education on the caretaker of the Alzheimer’s patient 

• Have students interview the caregiver of a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia. This can be a paid companion, a family member, or a health care provider in an inpatient or outpatient facility. This interview should include the use of a standardized tool to assess caregiver strain as well as a discussion with the caregiver and observation of interaction with the patient.

1. Utilize the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI)
2. Have the student calculate the risk of strain in the caregiver after utilizing the MCSI.
3. Ask the student to identify potential risk factors identified after synthesizing the information they obtained after observing interactions, utilizing the MCSI, and talking with the caregiver. For example: 

• Is the caregiver at risk for depression?
• What unmet physiological or psychological needs does the caregiver exhibit?
• Is there any evidence of ineffective coping?
• Does the caregiver show evidence of healthy personal relationships?
• What resources does the caregiver use to cope?
• Are there any concerns of elder abuse?
• Have the students investigate resources in the community that offer support to the caregiver caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s dementia. They should consider the feasibility of the resource including transportation, financial compensation and the ability of the caregiver to be amenable to the resource.