Factors associated with cognitive performance in elderly caregivers of the community Developing topics

• Published in: Alzheimer's & dementia Vol. 16; no. S7
• Main Authors: Ottaviani, Ana Carolina, Brigola, Allan Gustavo, Oliveira, Nathalia Alves, Luchesi, Bruna Moretti, Pavarini, Sofia Cristina Iost
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2020
• ISSN: 1552-5260; 1552-5279
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.047398

Abstract Background The loss of cognitive health of older caregivers can even become a risk to their own self‐care, functionality, autonomy, and independence. Method Cross‐sectional study carried out with 351 older caregivers attending primary healthcare services in Brazil. Sociodemographic, care variables and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐Revised (ACE‐R). The data were analyzed using the STATA / MP12 software and the ACER domains were used as dependent variables in the Tobit model with a cross section. All ethical aspects were respected. Result Most older caregivers were women (n = 267; 76.1%), with a mean age of 69.5 (± 7.0) years and who provided care to their spouse (n = 298; 84.9%). Higher levels of education were significantly associated with better cognitive scores in all domains of ACE‐R. Male sex was significantly associated with worse orientation scores and older age was significantly associated with worse scores on memory, language and visuospatial tests. Also, days per week spent caregiving, was associated with worse on memory and verbal fluency scores and having emotional help was associated with higher memory scores. Conclusion Age, education, male gender, days of care per week and emotional help were associated with the cognitive performance of the older caregivers. In this perspective, scalable interventions that aim to reduce the time spent on care and increase emotional support may be the most effective in preventing cognitive impairment in public policies.