A new study finds family caregivers may not be adequately assessing patients’ psychological symptoms related to depression and anxiety.
Researchers from Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University School of Medicine said caregivers and patients often agreed on the severity of physical pain, but were frequently in disagreement over the level of psychological pain patients may be enduring.
“Unlike blood pressure and blood sugar, symptoms like pain, depression or anxiety can’t be objectively measured,” Regenstrief Institute and IU School of Medicine faculty member Kurt Kroenke, MD, said. “Our group is very interested in symptoms — signs you can’t measure with an X-ray or a lab test. The only way to determine severity is with validated scales and if patients can’t report for themselves, then the proxy’s report is an important tool available to the clinician treating the patient.”
The Regenstrief study included 576 older adults. Among that group, 188 seniors were paired with caregivers and 200 seniors had no caregiver. Kroenke said even when a patient is able to self-report symptoms, having a caregiver or family member confirm and disagree with that perspective can affect treatment decisions.
“When patients can’t complete a symptom scale, proxy reports, while not the best, are the best available and provide valuable information,” Kroenke said.
Depression and anxiety among seniors have increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent senior health report by United Health Foundation found rates of suicide and depression increased approimately 13% during the pandemic. A Homecare.org survey last year found nearly a quarter of adults polled noticed increased signs of depression and anxiety in their older family members.
