Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) affect millions of people in the United States, and the number of individuals needing care continues to grow. Most of this care is provided at home by informal care partners, who may experience stress, isolation, and emotional strain as the disease progresses. These challenges are especially difficult for women, who make up about two-thirds of dementia caregivers. Those living in rural or culturally traditional communities where caregiving is viewed as a family responsibility and outside help may not be accepted often face additional challenges. Rural caregivers face several barriers including: a lack of available services, transportation issues, and limited social support, all of which may negatively affect their quality of life.The purpose of this project is to explore how care partners define and experience quality of life while caring for a loved one with ADRD, with a focus on those living in rural or under-resourced areas.This work is based on a literature review of peer-reviewed studies examining caregiver experiences and quality-of-life outcomes. This project reviews existing research on caregiver burden, gender and cultural expectations, and rural health disparities to better understand the factors that shape caregiver well-being. The project also explores evidence-based resources such as telehealth, caregiver education, and engagement of social support networks. Findings are expected to highlight the need for more accessible and culturally sensitive resources for care partners, especially for those in rural settings.Key themes include emotional stress, ambiguous loss, relationship dynamics, and limited community resources. By identifying gaps in support and understanding what caregivers need most, this project aims to contribute to improving the well-being of both caregivers and the individuals with ADRD whom they support.
Interprofessional partnerships along with quality and safety are important essentials for nursing students to learn and practice. The focus of this research project is to enhance the knowledge and confidence of undergraduate nursing students when using medical packaging within a medical packaging kit. This is a vital and important skill for nurses going into the workforce. The medical packaging kit will include a variety of packaging types and supplementary materials. The emphasis of this presentation regards a literature search that is being conducted to inform the project to create supplementary materials for students enrolled in a junior level nursing course. The literature search will inform effective learning techniques in undergraduate nursing programs. The project as a whole is a collaborative partnership between members of the nursing program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and members of the packaging program at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The Framework for Action on Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice and the Essentials: Core Competencies for nursing education guided the project.
