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Cited by 67Nursing care and researchDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchIntergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Baby boomer caregiver and dementia caregiving: findings from the National Study of Caregiving

Open access
Moon, Heehyul, Dilworth-Anderson, Peggye·2015·Age and Ageing
DOI 10.1093/ageing/afu119PMC PMC4339725
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have well documented the characteristics of baby boomers but less is known about the experiences of boomer caregivers (CGs) of people with dementia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of boomer CGs of people with dementia with those of boomer CGs for people without dementia and to ascertain factors associated with outcomes. DESIGN: We selected baby boomer CGs from the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) with 650 primary boomer CGs (138 CGs of people with dementia and 512 CGs of people without dementia). METHODS: The Stress Process Model (SPM) was used to examine the effects of resources (the use of paid help and informal support) and stressors (primary: level of CG care activities and interrupted sleep; secondary: strain of caregiving on work, other care and social activities) on CGs' down, depressed or hopeless feelings and self-perceived general health. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare SPM domain differences and ordinary least-square multiple regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of CGs' outcomes. RESULTS: High blood pressure and arthritis were the most prevalent chronic diseases in both groups. Boomer CGs of people with dementia reported providing more help with daily activities, higher level of caregiving and social activity conflict, experiencing more interrupted sleep and more down, depressed or hopeless feelings than CGs of people without dementia. Different factors predicted boomer CGs' outcomes. CONCLUSION: The current results yield important information about the considerable differences between two baby boomer CG groups within the caregiving experiences. The findings highlight the need to provide tailored interventions to boomer CGs to help them cope with caregiving stress to improve their physical and mental health.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Among baby boomer caregivers in the National Study of Caregiving, those caring for people with dementia reported more caregiving stressors and more depressed feelings than those caring for people without dementia. Different factors predicted mood and self-perceived health in the two groups.

Key findings

  • In the final sample of 650 baby boomer caregivers, 138 cared for people with dementia and 512 cared for people without dementia. Dementia caregivers reported more help with daily activities, t(648)=6.937, P<0.001; more caregiving–social activity conflict, t(648)=5.273, P<0.001; more interrupted sleep, t(648)=4.372, P<0.001; and more down/depressed/hopeless feelings, t(648)=2.298, P=0.022.
  • Dementia caregivers were more likely to have paid help (34.1% vs 17.5%, χ²=20.86, P=0.000), caregiving–work conflict (26.1% vs 14.8%, χ²=9.635, P=0.002), and caregiving–other family care conflict (9.4% vs 4.7%, χ²=4.536, P=0.033).
  • High blood pressure and arthritis were the most prevalent chronic diseases in both groups; the paper reports high blood pressure in 47.8% of dementia caregivers vs 43.9% of non-dementia caregivers, and arthritis in 39.1% vs 40.2%.
  • Regression models explained 9–29% of variance. For dementia caregivers, caregiving–social activity conflict predicted depressed feelings, informal support was negatively associated with depressed feelings, and caregiving–other family care conflict, older age, and being unmarried were linked to worse self-perceived health. For non-dementia caregivers, interrupted sleep, caregiving–family/social activity conflict, and lower informal support predicted more depressed feelings, while social activity conflict predicted worse self-perceived health.

Methods

  • Secondary analysis of first-wave National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) data, drawn from 2,007 informal caregivers identified by 8,077 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65+ in the 2011 NHATS Round 1.
  • Excluded non-baby-boomer caregivers (N=996) and those without a dementia-status response (N=361), yielding 650 baby boomer primary caregivers (138 dementia, 512 non-dementia).
  • Used the Stress Process Model; compared groups with two-tailed t-tests and chi-square tests, and used ordinary least-squares multiple regression to predict subjective mood and self-perceived general health.

Limitations

  • The paper states the cross-sectional design limits interpretation because dementia is progressive and predictor–outcome relationships may change over time.
  • The paper states dementia was based on caregiver proxy report, not formal diagnosis, so inferences should apply to baby boomer caregivers who perceive they provide dementia caregiving rather than all such caregivers.
  • The paper states depressive feeling was measured with a single item, so a more comprehensive measure is needed to identify clinically depressed caregivers. Evident from the text: the sample is restricted to baby boomer caregivers who provided a dementia-status response, which may further limit generalizability.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1093/ageing/afu119

Cites

23 of 23 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 20 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data
    § Results

    Baby boomer caregivers of people with dementia experienced higher caregiving-work conflict than baby boomer caregivers of people without dementia.

    “experiencing higher caregiving–work conflict, χ2 (1, N = 650) = 9.635, P = 0.002”
    • Also stated in: § Methods · plain
      “caregiving–work conflict”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Results

    Among baby boomer caregivers of people without dementia, higher caregiving-social activity conflict was associated with more depressed feelings.

    “Caregivers who reported higher levels of interrupted sleep, caregiving–family social activity conflict, caregiving–social activity conflict and lower level of informal support were more likely to feel depressed.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “reduced social activity participation due to caregiving was associated with feeling down or depressed for both groups”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Results

    Among baby boomer caregivers of people with dementia, caregiving-other family care conflict was negatively linked with general health.

    “Caregiving–other family care conflict was negatively linked with scores on the boomer CG's general health.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · hedged
      “caregiving conflict–care for other family such as children or other elderly appears as a significantly negative predictor of perceived general health for baby boomer CGs of people with dementia”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    Baby boomer caregivers of people with dementia reported higher caregiving-social activity conflict than baby boomer caregivers of people without dementia.

    “higher level of caregiving and social activity conflict”
    • Also stated in: § Results · plain
      “a higher level of caregiving and social activity conflict, t (648) = 5.273, P < 0.001”
    • Also stated in: § Methods · plain
      “caregiving–social activity”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Discussion

    In both baby boomer caregiver groups, informal support was associated with lower depressed feelings.

    “Both CG groups experienced lower level of feeling down or depressed when provided with informal support from family or friends.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • May combine two claims. 6
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 6

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data
    § Results

    Baby boomer caregivers of people with dementia experienced higher caregiving-other family care conflict than baby boomer caregivers of people without dementia.

    “higher caregiving–other family care conflict, χ2 (1, N = 650) = 4.536, P = 0.033”
    • Also stated in: § Methods · plain
      “caregiving—other family care conflict”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data
    § Background

    Bivariate correlations indicated no multicollinearity among predictors, with the highest correlation r=0.455 between being married and informal support.

    “The bivariate correlations indicated no multicollinearity, and the highest correlations were between being married and the level of informal support (r = 0.455).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Compared with the previous generation born before 1946, baby boomers are more likely to have lower rates of marriage, higher rates of separation and divorce, higher levels of education, fewer children, delayed childbearing, and a larger number of siblings.

    “compared with the previous generation born before 1946, boomers are more likely to have lower rates of marriage, higher rates of separation and divorce, higher levels of education [6], fewer children [7], delayed childbearing [4] and larger number of siblings [8].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [6] Frey, 2010, Baby boomers and the new demographics of America's seniors, Generations

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7] Hughes, 2004

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [8] Fingerman, 2012, The baby boomers’ intergenerational relationships, Gerontologist source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data
    § Discussion

    Depressive feelings were measured with a single item.

    “Finally, the current study used a single item measure of the down/depressed/hopeless feeling.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Baby boomers can expect to provide personal care and financial assistance for their families for about 40 years, first to children, then simultaneously to young adult children and ageing parents for about 5 years on average, with remaining caregiving time spent supporting parents, siblings, spouses or spouses' children, and themselves.

    “boomers can expect to provide personal care and financial assistance for their families for ∼40 years, first to their children, then simultaneously to young adult children and ageing parents for about 5 years on average; the remaining caregiving time is spent providing support to their parents [4], as well as to older siblings, spouses or their spouses' children, and themselves [8].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [4] Rogerson, 2005, Population distribution and redistribution of the baby-boom cohort in the United States: recent trends and implications, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [8] Fingerman, 2012, The baby boomers’ intergenerational relationships, Gerontologist source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Caring for relatives with dementia can lead to deterioration in caregivers' physical health, psychological well-being and social relations.

    “and can lead to deterioration in CGs' physical health, psychological well-being and social relations [2].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] Sörensen, 2011, Issues in dementia caregiving: effects on mental and physical health, intervention strategies, and research needs, Am J Geriatric Psych source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Caregivers of dementia patients suffer more than other caregivers, with worse mental and physical health, less leisure time, more employment complications, and more family conflict.

    “Caregivers of dementia patients in particular suffer more than other CGs–they tend to have worse mental and physical health, less leisure time, more employment complications and more family conflict [2, 3].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [2] Sörensen, 2011, Issues in dementia caregiving: effects on mental and physical health, intervention strategies, and research needs, Am J Geriatric Psych source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [3] Fisher, 2011, Caring for individuals with dementia and cognitive impairment, not dementia: findings from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study, J Am Geriatric Soc source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Introduction

    Caring for relatives with dementia creates various stressors for caregivers.

    “Caring for relatives with dementia creates various stressors for CGs—including care recipients’ (CRs) memory and behaviour problems, communication problems, conflict and role strain”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] Sörensen, 2011, Issues in dementia caregiving: effects on mental and physical health, intervention strategies, and research needs, Am J Geriatric Psych source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Discussion

    Maintaining an active life through leisure and social activities is related to increased well-being.

    “Previous studies have noted that maintaining an active life through leisure and social activities is related to increased well-being [23–25].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [23] Agahi, 2005, Are today's older people more active than their predecessors? Participation in leisure-time activities in Sweden in 1992 and 2002, Ageing Soc source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [24] Moon, 2012, Productive activities and perceived well-being in an African American older adult urban sample, Activ Adapt Aging

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [25] Adams, 2011, A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life, Ageing Soc source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Discussion

    Baby boomer caregivers of people with dementia are at risk for sustained elevation of blood pressure, which is associated with life-threatening diseases affecting the heart, brain, and kidneys.

    “Given that dementia caregiving is associated with chronic stress, the caregivers in this study are at risk for sustained elevation of blood pressure, which is associated with a cascade of life-threatening diseases that can affect the heart, brain and kidneys [17].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17] Pase, 2013, Blood pressure and cognitive function the role of central aortic and brachial pressures, . Psychol Sci source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § Discussion

    Arthritis is associated with becoming disabling with stress, work, and lack of time for self-care.

    “Other studies have shown that arthritis is associated with becoming disabling with stress, work and lack of time for self-care [19, 20].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [19] Furner, 2011, Health‐related quality of life of US adults with arthritis: analysis of data from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2003, 2005, and 2007, Arthritis Care Res source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [20] Dominick, 2004, Health-related quality of life among older adults with arthritis, Health Qual Life Outcomes source

      Not checked in the free run.

11 of 11

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Dementia is a progressive disease.

    “Because dementia is a progressive disease, the relationship between the predictor variables and general health or subjective feeling of mood might change over time.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The caregiving literature has not focused much on baby boomer caregivers, and less is known about baby boomer caregivers of people with dementia compared with those without dementia.

    “Despite the challenges that boomers face, who will more likely care to multiple generations, the caregiving literature has not focused as much on baby boomer CGs—relatively little has been explored regarding baby boomer CGs of patients with different chronic conditions and even less is known abou the experiences of baby boomer CGs of family members with dementia and without, both of which are STR”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentt(648) = 6.937reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “t (648) = 6.937, p < .001”

  • Consistentt(648) = 5.273reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “t (648) = 5.273, p < .001”

  • Consistentt(648) = 4.372reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “t (648) = 4.372, p < .001”

  • Consistentt(648) = 2.298reported p = .022 · recomputed p = .022

    “t (648) = 2.298, p = .022”

  • Consistentχ²(1) = 20.86reported p = 0 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2 (1, N = 650) = 20.86, p = .000”

  • Consistentχ²(1) = 9.635reported p = .002 · recomputed p = .002

    “χ2 (1, N = 650) = 9.635, p = .002”

  • Consistentχ²(1) = 4.536reported p = .033 · recomputed p = .033

    “χ2 (1, N = 650) = 4.536, p = .033”

7 of 7

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Reported informal-support standard deviations are impossible for the stated scale

    Major

    Informal support is the sum of three yes/no items, so its score ranges from 0 to 3. At the reported means of 2.18 overall and 2.11 for caregivers of people without dementia, standard deviations of 1.78 and 1.95, respectively, are impossible.

  • Overall married percentage differs from both group percentages

    Minor

    Both caregiver groups are reported as 44.2% married, so their combined percentage cannot be 43.2%.

    Reported 43.2 · recomputed 44.2

  • Education effect on mood is marked significant despite its coefficient and standard error

    Minor

    For caregivers of people without dementia, the education coefficient of −0.056 divided by its standard error of 0.090 gives a t statistic of about −0.62, not a significant effect at P ≤ 0.05. The table nevertheless marks it significant, supporting the text's conclusion that higher education predicts lower depressed feelings.

  • Dementia-group college-degree percentage is below one-quarter

    Minor

    The text says more than one-quarter of both groups had a college degree or higher, but Table 2 reports 24.6% for caregivers of people with dementia.

  • Several relationship totals fall outside their group percentages

    Minor

    The total percentage for a relationship category must lie between the percentages for the two groups. The reported totals for child-in-law, friends and other relatives each exceed or fall below both group values.

5 of 5

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Hughes, 2004, The American People Census 2000: The Lives and Times of the Baby Boomers
  2. Quinn, 2010, Generational Challenges in the Workplace
  3. Kasper, 2013, National Study of Caregiving User Guide. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Moon, H., & Dilworth-Anderson, P.
Affiliations
University of Louisville (US)
Corresponding author
Moon, Heehyul
ORCID
Moon, Heehyul
Venue
Age and Ageing
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2014-10-30
Volume
44
Issue
2
Pages
300-306
ISSN
  • 0002-0729 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-2834
DOI
10.1093/ageing/afu119
PMC
PMC4339725
OpenAlex
W2120703059
Semantic Scholar
0b8269976e3cff10cd917cce52b3670386f0b90a
Cited by
67
References
23
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3
FWCI
10.08
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Age and Ageing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (T32AG000272, U01AG032947)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
Keywords
baby boomers, dementia caregiving, caregiver stress, caregiver depression, caregiver health, informal support, chronic disease, stress process model, National Study of Caregiving
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Age Factors, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dementia, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Population Growth, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Support, Stress, Psychological, United States, Comorbidity, Prevalence, Least-Squares Analysis, Caregivers, Health Care Costs, Cost of Illness

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