Nursing Strategies for Enhancing Resilience in Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Interventions and Outcomes

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Abdullah Obaid Sail Alqahtani, Zahra Ahmed Sayar, Hind Gassem Habib Mutee, Emad Mohammed Almonsef, Asma Salman, Ahlam Mohammed Mashnafi, Shahad Fayez Alruwaili, Abdulaziz Mohammed Abdullah Almoies, Ghalia Mohammed Othman Alhemdi, Sulaiman Ibrahim Alhumaid, Alaa Hamed Hasan Abdullah, Jawza Oweid Alanzi, Mai Fahad Aba-Alwakal, Maha Salem Aldhafeeri, Fahad Abdulfattah Ali Alalawi

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease, a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, poses significant challenges for both patients and their caregivers, especially informal caregivers who face physical, emotional, and psychological burdens. These challenges necessitate innovative nursing strategies to enhance resilience in caregivers, as resilience has been linked to better psychological adaptation and reduced caregiver distress.


Methods: A scoping review was conducted using databases including Medline, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library to identify non-pharmacological interventions targeting resilience in caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Studies published between 2021 and 2023 were analyzed, focusing on interventions such as psychoeducation, creative arts, and mindfulness practices. Data were extracted to evaluate intervention outcomes, caregiver profiles, and the roles of nursing professionals.


Results: Among the interventions, psychoeducation demonstrated the most consistent results in fostering resilience, followed by mindfulness practices, which yielded reductions in anxiety and depression. Creative arts-based interventions offered mixed outcomes, with some caregivers reporting emotional relief and others experiencing increased stress. Nursing professionals played critical roles in implementing and supporting interventions, though their roles were often underdefined. Key challenges identified included participant attrition, intervention sustainability, and variability in outcomes due to disease progression and caregiver profiles.


Conclusion: Non-pharmacological interventions such as psychoeducation, mindfulness, and creative arts have the potential to enhance caregiver resilience, offering significant benefits in mitigating stress and improving psychological well-being. However, further research with larger sample sizes, robust methodological designs, and clearly defined nursing roles is essential to optimize these interventions. Nursing professionals should prioritize resilience-building strategies to support caregivers in their demanding roles, ultimately improving care outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

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