Caring for a relative with dementia: family caregiver burden
Journal
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Date Issued
June 2007
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04250.x
Abstract
Aim. This paper is a report of part of a study to investigate the burden experienced
by families giving care to a relative with dementia, the consequences of care for the
mental health of the primary caregiver and the strategies families use to cope with
the care giving stressors.
Background. The cost of caring for people with dementia is enormous, both monetary
and psychological. Partners, relatives and friends who take care of patients
experience emotional, physical and financial stress, and care giving demands are
central to decisions on patient institutionalization.
Method. A volunteer sample of 172 caregiver/care recipient dyads participated in the
study in Cyprus in 2004–2005. All patients were suffering from probable Alzheimer’s
type dementia and were recruited from neurology clinics. Data were collected using
the Memory and Behaviour Problem Checklist, Burden Interview, Center for
Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale and Ways of Coping Questionnaire.
Findings. The results showed that 68Æ02% of caregivers were highly burdened and
65% exhibited depressive symptoms. Burden was related to patient psychopathology
and caregiver sex, income and level of education. There was no statistically significant
difference in level of burden or depression when patients lived in the community
or in institutions. High scores in the burden scale were associated with use of emotional-
focused coping strategies, while less burdened relatives used more problemsolving
approaches to care-giving demands.
Conclusion. Caregivers, especially women, need individualized, specific training in
how to understand and manage the behaviour of relatives with dementia and how to
cope with their own feelings.
by families giving care to a relative with dementia, the consequences of care for the
mental health of the primary caregiver and the strategies families use to cope with
the care giving stressors.
Background. The cost of caring for people with dementia is enormous, both monetary
and psychological. Partners, relatives and friends who take care of patients
experience emotional, physical and financial stress, and care giving demands are
central to decisions on patient institutionalization.
Method. A volunteer sample of 172 caregiver/care recipient dyads participated in the
study in Cyprus in 2004–2005. All patients were suffering from probable Alzheimer’s
type dementia and were recruited from neurology clinics. Data were collected using
the Memory and Behaviour Problem Checklist, Burden Interview, Center for
Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale and Ways of Coping Questionnaire.
Findings. The results showed that 68Æ02% of caregivers were highly burdened and
65% exhibited depressive symptoms. Burden was related to patient psychopathology
and caregiver sex, income and level of education. There was no statistically significant
difference in level of burden or depression when patients lived in the community
or in institutions. High scores in the burden scale were associated with use of emotional-
focused coping strategies, while less burdened relatives used more problemsolving
approaches to care-giving demands.
Conclusion. Caregivers, especially women, need individualized, specific training in
how to understand and manage the behaviour of relatives with dementia and how to
cope with their own feelings.
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