Objective: The aims of the present study is to characterize 61 relatives, as informal caregivers, of demented patients staying at home and evaluate their burden.
Design: A sample of Portuguese caregivers was assessed. An inquiry was applied to quantify psychosocial, psychopathological and well being variables.
Materials and Methods: 61 caregivers were assessed with instruments of characterization and evaluation. We used a structured inquiry concerning patients and caregivers socio-demographics and pathological characteristics, caregivers health and opinion and CGI and GHQ-12. We used also, descriptive and correlation coefficients as statistical analysis.
Results: 33% of caregivers present an emotional disturbance which begins after the beginning of care. The disturbance is correlated with the duration of the dementia and most frequent psychopathological symptoms are irritability and depressed humor. 56% of the disturbed caregivers prefer to institutionalize the patients. CGI mild 38%, moderate 48%, severe 18%. CHQ-12 disturbed (score > 6) = 33%. The severity of the dementia is mainly moderate. The media evolution is 5.3 years and 11% of the patients are bed-ridden. The most prevalent disorder are agitation and wandering. Aggressiveness mainly of moderate severity. The caregivers are mainly elderly women, daughters, married with secondary level of education and spouses of the patient, depressed and irritable. The majority of caregivers was previously physically ill and they became psychologically distressed. In the caregiver’s opinion almost all think they are psychologically distressed and have a very bad quality of life.
Conclusion: As main conclusion we found that about 33% of the caregivers were objectively disturbed psychologically. The most fearful behavioral symptoms considered by caregivers are dependence, agitation and aggressiveness. 56% of the disturbed caregivers prefer to institutionalize the patient.
Back to PC Wednesday Poster Sessions
Back to The Eleventh International Congress