Objective: This study aimed to systematically review studies that reported factors associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD). Methods: Literature was searched in PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO using keywords generated from the terms “dementia”, “caregiver”, and “cardiovascular disease”. We included studies that examined factors associated with CVD risk in family caregivers of PWD, those with longitudinal or cross-sectional study designs, and those published in English. Results: A total of 34 studies were included in this review. Stress and depressive symptoms, pleasant leisure activity, coping self-efficacy and coping strategy, physical activity, and social support were the main modifiable associated factors of CVD risk in family caregivers of PWD. However, the association between sleep and CVD risk was unclear. Caregiving status, the duration of caregiving, genes, and race, were the main non-modifiable associated factors of CVD risk in family caregivers. Conclusion: This review showed seven modifiable factors of CVD risk. In particular, leisure activities, physical activity, and social support were significantly negatively associated with the risk of CVD. Researchers and clinical professionals are recommended to consider these risk factors when they develop interventions to reduce CVD risk in family caregivers of PWD.

Little is known about the role of change in protein intake in affecting cognitive function among older adults. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations between the change in protein intake from various food groups and cognitive impairment among older adults in a prospective cohort study. A total of 6951 participants without cognitive impairment or dementia were included in this study. The frequency of protein intake from various food groups was measured by a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. Multivariable Cox hazard models with time as the underlying time metric applied to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During the 37,535 person-years of follow-up, 1202 (17.3%) participants developed cognitive impairment. The improvement in overall protein intake was negatively associated with cognitive impairment with multivariable-adjusted HR of 0.98 (95% CI = 0.97–0.99). Compared with participants with stable change, those with an extreme decline in animal-based protein intake had a 48% higher risk of cognitive impairment. The associations of changes in protein from six food groups with cognitive impairment were in a similar direction to the main result. Protective associations between improving protein intake and a reduced risk of cognitive impairment were observed.

Leisure activities are essential for family caregivers of loved ones with dementia living in the community, yet these caregivers tend not to engage in them, especially in China, wherein it may have a negative impact on their physical and psychological health. To date, limited knowledge exists regarding underlying reasons that deter these family caregivers from doing leisure activities. This study aims to explore perceptions of family caregivers of people living with dementia and their engagement in leisure activities. A qualitative descriptive research design was used with semi-structured, face-to-face, individual in-depth interviews. The data were collected in Shijiazhuang, China between October and November 2019. Content analysis was used to develop categories. Results of 20 family caregivers (5 men and 15 women, mean age = 55.6±12.7) reported their perceptions under four main categories: (i) “the condition of leisure life,” (ii) “needs for leisure activities,” (iii) “reasons for the reluctance to do leisure activities,” and (iv) “motivations supporting the implementation of leisure activities.” In addition to the heavy caregiving workload and lack of support, traditional Chinese beliefs including filial commitment and “fatalistic voluntarism” were the reasons that prevented Chinese family caregivers of people living with dementia from doing leisure activities. However, engaging their loved ones in leisure activities, like doing exercise together, could motivate family caregivers themselves to participate in leisure activities. These findings encourage healthcare professionals to consider the influence of culture on family caregivers’ engagement in leisure activities which is one of the ways to reduce stress. Family caregivers may benefit from the leisure activities by learning how to better cope with and balance caregiving tasks with their leisure pursuits in the community.