UNASSIGNED: People with dementia (PwD) and their care partners (CP) may have difficulties in emotion regulation, and individual differences in emotion regulation may be related to PwD\'s neuropsychiatric symptoms. This study explores whether there is self-awareness of PwD\'s difficulties in emotion regulation and whether CP\'s emotion regulation relates to the PwD\'s neuropsychiatric symptoms, potentially revealing bias or interpersonal effects.
UNASSIGNED: We used data from the Wish Outcome Obstacle Plan Study with a sample of 45 PwD and their spousal CP (n = 90 individuals). Multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between the CP-reported neuropsychiatric symptoms in PwD and self-reports of emotion regulation in both dyad members, net of sociodemographic and health factors. Separate analyses were conducted for each neuropsychiatric subsyndrome and each domain of difficulties in emotion regulation.
UNASSIGNED: Increasing severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms was associated with higher difficulties in emotion regulation in PwD (ß = 1.23, p < 0.05), but not with CP\'s difficulties in emotion regulation. When CP reported more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms in PwD, PwD reported that they had difficulties in accepting emotions, controlling impulses, goal-directed behaviors, and accessing emotion regulation strategies, but not in emotion awareness and clarification. Proxy-reports of hyperactivity and psychosis subsyndromes are significantly related to PwD\'s self-reported difficulties in emotion regulation.
UNASSIGNED: PwD reported difficulties in emotion regulation at the early stage of dementia. Proxy-reported neuropsychiatric symptoms may capture PwD\'s emotion regulation capability and not be biased by CP\'s difficulties in emotion regulation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish the feasibility of delivering a structured post-diagnosis information and support program to dyads (persons living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and family carers) in two primary care settings.
METHODS: A two-phase explanatory mixed-method approach guided by the Bowen Feasibility Framework focused on acceptability, implementation, adaptation, integration and efficacy of a five-part programme. In phase 1, the quantitative impact of the programme on the dyadic programme recipients\' self-efficacy, quality of life, dyadic relationship and volume of care was measured. In phase 2, inductive content analysis focused on nurse and dyad participant experiences of the programme. Quantitative and qualitative data were reviewed to conclude each element of feasibility.
METHODS: Four registered nurses working within the participating sites were recruited, trained as programme facilitators and supported to deliver the programme. Eligible dyads attending the respective primary health clinics were invited to participate in the programme and complete surveys at three time points: recruitment, post-programme and 3-month follow-up. Post-programme semi-structured interviews were conducted with dyads and programme facilitators.
RESULTS: Twenty-nine dyads completed the program; the majority were spousal dyads. The programme proved acceptable to the dyads with high retention and completion rates. Implementation and integration of the programme into usual practice were attributed to the motivation and capacity of the nurses as programme facilitators. Regarding programme efficacy, most dyads reported they were better prepared for the future and shared the plans they developed during the programme with family members.
CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a structured information and support programme is feasible, but sustainability requires further adaptation or increased staff resources to maintain programme fidelity. Future research should consider selecting efficacy measures sensitive to the unique needs of people living with dementia and increasing follow-up time to 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS: This study established the feasibility of registered nurses delivering a post-diagnosis information and support programme for people living with early-stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment and their informal carers in primary care settings. The motivation and capacity of nurses working as programme facilitators ensured the integration of the programme into usual work, but this was not considered sustainable over time. Family carer dyads reported tangible outcomes and gained confidence in sharing their diagnosis with family and friends and asking for assistance. Findings from this study can be used to provide direction for a clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of the structured information and support programme in the primary care setting.
UNASSIGNED: The authors have adhered to the EQUATOR STROBE Statement.
UNASSIGNED: A public hospital memory clinic and general medical practice participated in project design, study protocol development and supported implementation.

BACKGROUND: The identification of dyadic subgroups of individuals living with dementia and their informal caregivers can help to design effective tailored support. In a previous German study, we identified six dementia dyad subgroups by applying Latent Class Analysis (LCA). Results showed sociodemographic heterogeneity as well as differences in health care outcomes (i.e., quality of life, health status, caregiver burden) between subgroups. The objective of this study is to determine if the dyad subgroups from the previous analysis can be replicated in a similar but distinct Dutch sample.
METHODS: A LCA 3-step procedure was applied to baseline data from the COMPAS study, a prospective cohort study. LCA is a statistical approach used to identify heterogeneous subgroups within populations based on their pattern of answers on a set of categorical variables. Data comprises 509 community-living individuals with predominantly mild to moderate dementia and their informal caregivers. A narrative analysis was used to compare latent class structures of the original versus the replication study.
RESULTS: Six distinct dementia dyad subgroups were identified: A subgroup of \"adult-child-parent relation with younger informal caregiver\" (31.8%), a \"couple with female informal caregiver of older age\" group (23.1%), an \"adult-child-parent relation with middle-aged informal caregiver\" group (14.2%), a \"couple with middle-aged female informal caregiver\" group (12.4%), a \"couple with older male informal caregiver\" group (11.2%) and a \"couple with middle-aged male informal caregiver\" group (7.4%). Quality of life of individuals with dementia was rated better in couples than in adult-child-relationships. Worst health for caregivers was reported by subgroups with female informal caregivers living together with male individuals with dementia in couple relationships. A subgroup with older female informal caregivers in couple relationships report the most severe burden on physical and mental health. In both studies, a model with six subgroups fitted the data best. Although substantive similarities between the subgroups of both studies appeared, considerable differences are also evident.
CONCLUSIONS: This replication study confirmed the existence of informal dementia dyad subgroups. The observed differences between the subgroups provide useful contributions for a more tailored health care services for informal caregivers and individuals living with dementia. Furthermore, it underlines the relevance of dyadic perspectives. To facilitate replication studies and increase the validity of evidence, a standardization of collected data across studies would be beneficial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of early-stage dementia on care recipient/carer dyads\' confidence or belief in their capacity to manage the behavioural and functional changes associated with dementia and to access appropriate support networks.
BACKGROUND: Living with dementia has predominantly been explored from the carer perspective and focused on the stress and burden of supporting a person with dementia. There has been a shift towards a more positive discourse to accommodate the role of self-efficacy in supporting self-management by people living with dementia. However, little has been reported on the dyadic experience of self-efficacy in managing life with dementia.
METHODS: A qualitative study using an interpretive descriptive approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 dyads in the early stages of dementia. The collected data underwent a process of thematic analysis. The study followed the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist.
RESULTS: Dyadic adjustment to dementia was dynamic, involving shifts between loss and adaptation. Threats to self-efficacy, declining autonomy and stigma, were significant causes of concern for both members of the dyad. Dyadic self-efficacy was demonstrated through recognition of and adaptation to dementia-related changes and development of coping strategies to integrate impairment into everyday life.
CONCLUSIONS: Solution-focused approaches that improve knowledge and skills enable the dyad to adjust. The considerable impact of stigma on self-efficacy indicates that supportive disclosure strategies developed in mental health may also have a role to play in dementia interventions.
CONCLUSIONS: Nurses play a significant role in advising and supporting care recipient/carer dyads with dementia, and a better understanding of the dyadic perspective provides them with essential information to support self-management. A proactive approach including information and support, offered at the beginning of the condition/care trajectory, may have the potential to delay progression into more dependent stages.