The impact of the Symptoms of dementia on caregivers

BACKGROUND The symptoms of dementia are the most obvious stressors to which caregivers are exposed and many studies have investigated the association of such symptoms with the adverse consequences of caring. The present paper represents the only dedicated review of this literature. METHOD Manual and computer (MEDLINE) literature searches were performed. RESULTS Seventeen empirical studies were found. CONCLUSIONS Variability in conceptual and methodological approaches and inconsistencies in the reported findings have prevented firm conclusions from being drawn. However, the literature provided support for a relationship between non-cognitive features in dementia and psychological problems in caregivers, and suggested possible associations between cognitive deficits and some negative care-giver outcomes. New methodological and conceptual approaches are required if decisive evidence is to be forthcoming. This information is a prerequisite for investigations into the causal mechanisms that sustain these relationships, and for rationally designed interventions.

[1]  J. Yesavage,et al.  The Relations among Caregiver Stress, “Sundowning” Symptoms, and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease , 1992, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

[2]  L. Baider,et al.  Adjustment to cancer: who is the patient--the husband or the wife? , 1988, Israel journal of medical sciences.

[3]  A. Horowitz,et al.  Reciprocity and Affection , 1983 .

[4]  M. Jenike.  Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors as Treatment for Depressed Patients With Primary Degenerative Dementia (Alzheimer's Disease) , 1985 .

[5]  L. Morris,et al.  Factors Affecting the Emotional Wellbeing of the Caregivers of Dementia Sufferers , 1988, British Journal of Psychiatry.

[6]  P. Weiler,et al.  Comparison of mental status tests: implications for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers. , 1994, Journal of gerontology.

[7]  R. Pruchno,et al.  Aberrant behaviors and Alzheimer's disease: mental health effects on spouse caregivers. , 1989, Journal of gerontology.

[8]  S. Gauthier,et al.  The psychological and physical health of family members caring for an elderly person with dementia. , 1992, Journal of clinical epidemiology.

[9]  S. Folstein,et al.  "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. , 1975, Journal of psychiatric research.

[10]  W. Haley,et al.  Stress, appraisal, coping, and social support as predictors of adaptational outcome among dementia caregivers. , 1987, Psychology and aging.

[11]  S. Gauthier,et al.  Personality Traits as Determinants of Burden and Health Complaints in Caregiving , 1994, International journal of aging & human development.

[12]  D. Lund,et al.  Wives, Husbands, and Daughters Caring for Institutionalized and Noninstitutionalized Dementia Patients: Toward a Model of Caregiver Burden , 1990, International journal of aging & human development.

[13]  J. Greene,et al.  Measuring behavioural disturbance of elderly demented patients in the community and its effects on relatives: a factor analytic study. , 1982, Age and ageing.

[14]  D. Ames,et al.  Prevalence of dementia among patients referred to an aged care assessment team and associated stress in their carers. , 2010, Australian journal of public health.

[15]  S. Folkman,et al.  Stress, appraisal, and coping , 1974 .

[16]  L. Schneider,et al.  Treatments for Psychiatric Symptoms and Behavioral Disturbances in Dementia , 1994 .

[17]  C. Farran,et al.  Dementia Care-Receiver Needs and their Impact on Caregivers , 1993, Clinical nursing research.

[18]  N. Argyle,et al.  Psychogeriatric patients: their supporters' problems. , 1985, Age and ageing.

[19]  Judith G. Gonyea,et al.  Caregiving and the experience of subjective and objective burden. , 1985 .

[20]  J. Eagles,et al.  The Psychological Well-being of Supporters of the Demented Elderly , 1987, British Journal of Psychiatry.

[21]  D. Bass,et al.  Symptoms of mental impairment among elderly adults and their effects on family caregivers. , 1986, Journal of gerontology.

[22]  L. Gwyther,et al.  Caregiver well-being: a multidimensional examination of family caregivers of demented adults. , 1986, The Gerontologist.

[23]  B. Draper,et al.  A Comparison of Caregivers for Elderly Stroke and Dementia Victims , 1992, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

[24]  Henry Brodaty,et al.  Psychosocial Effects on Carers of Living with Persons with Dementia , 1990, The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry.

[25]  C. Gilleard,et al.  Problems in caring for the elderly mentally infirm at home. , 1982, Archives of gerontology and geriatrics.

[26]  S. Zarit,et al.  Relatives of the impaired elderly: correlates of feelings of burden. , 1980, The Gerontologist.

[27]  P. Sainsbury,et al.  The psychiatrist and the geriatric patient. The effects of community care on the family of the geriatric patient. , 1970, Journal of geriatric psychiatry.

[28]  B. Reiss,et al.  Problems Reported by Relatives in a Community Study of Dementia , 1990, British Journal of Psychiatry.

[29]  M. Gilhooly,et al.  Family care of the dementing elderly , 1994 .

[30]  A. Burns,et al.  Psychiatric Phenomena in Alzheimer's Disease. I: Disorders of Thought Content , 1990, British Journal of Psychiatry.

[31]  R. Morycz.  Caregiving Strain and the Desire to Institutionalize Family Members with Alzheimer's Disease , 1985, Research on aging.