Dimakopoulou, E, Bampouras, T, Katsardi, G, Tavoulareas, G, Karydaki, M, Theodorelou, M, Zoi, P and Sakka, P (2024) Exploring musculoskeletal injuries among informal and formal carers of people with dementia. Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders. ISSN 0893-0341

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Abstract

Background: Carers of people with dementia manually handle the care recipients (e.g., repetitive lifting, transferring, pulling) as part of the care service, increasing the musculoskeletal injury risk to themselves. Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among informal and formal carers of people with dementia and the perceived associated risk factors Methods: Primary carers of people with dementia (26 males, 141 females) from Dementia Care Centers and Home Care programmes, completed a questionnaire providing information about a) the carers’ and their care recipients’ characteristics, b) musculoskeletal symptoms (via the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire) and related aspects, and c) the caregiving activities exposing the carers to risk of musculoskeletal injury. Results: Our results showed that 69.7% of informal and 86.7% of formal carers reported having more than one musculoskeletal injury, while 63.1% and 61.5%, respectively, reported having a musculoskeletal injury in the last year. Lower back had the highest injury prevalence (>10% for both groups). The two carer groups were not different in any of the variables. Conclusion: Our results reinforce calls for education and support of carers, regardless of their formal status, to enable injury-free and prolonged service provision.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders. Dimakopoulou, Eleni PhD*; Bampouras, Theodoros M. PhD†; Katsardi, Georgia MSc‡; Tavoulareas, Georgios MSc§; Karydaki, Maria MSc*; Theodorelou, Maria BSc*; Zoi, Panagiota MSc*; Sakka, Paraskevi PhD*. Exploring Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Informal and Formal Carers of People With Dementia. Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders ():10.1097/WAD.0000000000000635, August 8, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000635 The published version of record is available online at https://journals.lww.com/alzheimerjournal/abstract/9900/exploring_musculoskeletal_injuries_among_informal.125.aspx and 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000635
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Alzheimer; Caregivers; Chronic injuries; Occupational health; Quality of life; 1103 Clinical Sciences; 1109 Neurosciences; 1702 Cognitive Sciences; Geriatrics
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Sport & Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	10 Jul 2024 15:19
Last Modified:	21 Aug 2024 09:15
DOI or ID number:	10.1097/WAD.0000000000000635
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/23735

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