Correlations between Kitchen-Safety-Measures, Functional-Independence, and Caregiving-Burden for Older-Adults Living with Mild-Cognitive-Impairment

Research Objectives: This study investigates association between caregiver-assessed kitchen-safety and older-adults functional-independence living with mild-cognitive-impairment (MCI), the relationship between overall-functional-independence of MCI individuals and caregiving-burden.

Design: This cross-sectional study analyzed a subset of the survey data collected at the Cognitive Empowerment Program (CEP). Caregivers completed the Safe-at-Home Checklist, Functional Activity Questionnaire (FAQ), and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Two-tailed Pearson's correlation was employed to identify significant correlations, with a significance level set at 0.05.

Setting: Survey was conducted at Cognitive-Empowerment-Program (CEP), Atlanta.

Participants: The participants in this study comprised caregivers of individuals enrolled in the CEP. MCI Individuals and their caregivers were referred or invited to the CEP from Emory-Brain-Health-clinics. MCI Individuals received assessments of their cognitive functioning, daily instrumental activities, laboratory tests, and neuroimaging. Among 800 annual admissions, 40-60 joined the CEP voluntarily and completed survey.

Interventions: NA

Main Outcome Measures: The study found significant associations between FAQ5 (heating water, making coffee, turning off stove after use) and FAQ6 (preparing balanced meal) with specific concerns in the kitchen identified in the Safe-at-Home-Checklist. Furthermore. significant correlation was found between FAQ and ZBI.

Results: Having a concern regarding adequate counter-space to safely prepare meals in the kitchen was positively associated with FAQ5 scores (r=0.241, p=0.003). FAQ6 showed positive associations with both having a concern regarding a nearby-surface to rest hot foods on when removed from oven (r=0.169, p=0.042) and having a concern regarding adequate counter space to safely prepare meals (r=0.217, p-0.009). In other words, when caregivers expressed concerns about these kitchen design issues, they reported higher dependence of MCI adults on kitchen-related-activities (FAQ5 and 6).

The overall functional independence measured by the overall FAQ scores and ZBI scores showed a positive correlation (r=0.363, p< 0.001); higher functional dependence was reported for individuals with MCI, resulting in higher caregiver burden reported.

Conclusions: There are correlations between FAQ5 (heating water, making coffee, turning off stove after use) and FAQ6 (preparing a balanced meal) and specific concerns in the kitchen identified in the Safe-at-Home-Checklist provided to the participants.

Author(s) Disclosures: NA