Dementia caregiver burden: a review of the literature and guidelines for assessment and intervention

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are common degenerative disorders in the elderly. Most AD patients are cared for at home by family members, usually elderly spouses. Although caregiving is associated with significant psychological and physical morbidity, there are wide individual di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNeurology Vol. 51; no. 1 Suppl 1; p. S53
Main Authors Dunkin, J J, Anderson-Hanley, C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.1998
Subjects
Aged
Caregivers - psychology
Dementia - psychology
Family Health
Hospitalization
Humans
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Referral and Consultation
Respite Care
Social Support
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Summary:Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are common degenerative disorders in the elderly. Most AD patients are cared for at home by family members, usually elderly spouses. Although caregiving is associated with significant psychological and physical morbidity, there are wide individual differences among caregivers in how well they adapt to caregiving demands. In addition, recent data suggest that caregiver variables can be important determinants of AD patient institutionalization and that AD patients living with highly distressed caregivers may exhibit higher frequencies of behavioral problems and agitation than those living with less distressed caregivers. Predictors of caregiver outcome, predictors of institutionalization, and the effect of the caregiver on the course and symptomatology of dementia are described. A model of assessment and intervention for the physician, referral processes, and resources for the caregiver are presented.
ISSN:0028-3878
DOI:10.1212/wnl.51.1_suppl_1.s53