Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family CaregiversNancy A. Hodgson 1, Douglas A. Granger 2,3,4
1Center for Innovative Care in Aging, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 2Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, 3Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 4Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
We demonstrate: (1) procedures for collection of salivary samples in cognitive impaired older adults by family caregivers in the home setting, (2) procedures for measuring stress activity via salivary cortisol and alpha amylase, and (3) representative profiles. Protocols that allow researchers to study stress-linked processes advance our understanding of biological sensitivity and susceptibility.
