Assessing family and staff caregiver outcomes in Alzheimer disease research.

Outcomes and measurement issues related to caregivers for persons with Alzheimer disease and related disorders are examined. Assumptions regarding the dynamic linkages between resident, family, and staff outcomes are reviewed, and potential sources of stress inherent in family adaptation to the institutional setting, role transitions, and emotional responses that occur with placement are examined. Family and staff caregiver outcomes that flow logically from treatment goals, and what can be expected if sources of transitional and institutional stress are ameliorated through successful family and staff-related interventions, are discussed. Instruments developed to evaluate family perceptions of care and the caregiving role in institutional settings are described. The article concludes with an analysis of measurement approaches, general measurement issues, and those more specific to family and staff caregivers, as well as recommendations for further development in this area.