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Pre-Death Grief, Resourcefulness And Perceived Stress Among Care Givers Of Partners With Young Onset Dementia, Karie Kobiske

Dissertations (1934 -)

Over 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with young onset dementia (YOD). YOD is the dementia diagnosed prior to the age of 65. Most persons of YOD are cared for by their partners. Caregiving for a partner diagnosed with YOD has unique challenges including multiple losses resulting from the functional, cognitive, and behavioral declines which can be demanding and stressful. These losses experienced by the caregiver of a partner diagnosed with YOD have been termed pre-death grief. Caregivers of partners with YOD often report high levels of burden and stress resulting in depression, anxiety, hopelessness, as well as increase morbidity and mortality. …