Burden in carers of dementia patients: higher levels in carers of younger sufferers

Abstract

A comparative study of the clinical characteristics of early onset dementia (onset before the age of 65) and late onset dementia sufferers was conducted. The level of carer burden among carers of both groups was measured. Carer burden was significantly higher among carers of younger sufferers, although there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of clinical features such as severity of dementia or behavioural disturbance. Higher carer burden showed an inverse relationship to patient's age. Our results have implications in terms of encouraging community care for dementia sufferers, and suggest that further exploration to identify factors associated with burden in younger carers is required.

‘We can't keep going on like this’: identifying family storylines in young onset dementia

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Do spouse caregivers of young and older persons with dementia have different needs? A comparative study

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From ‘needing to know’ to ‘needing not to know more’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of couples' experiences with early‐onset Alzheimer's disease

“…Young persons with AD experience faster cognitive and functional decline than the elderly and gradually lose their active roles both in the society and in the family . The caregivers of younger persons report higher levels of burden and stress than do the caregivers of older persons because they assume this role prematurely and juggle this with other roles (parental, professional…) .…”

“…Young persons with AD experience faster cognitive and functional decline than the elderly and gradually lose their active roles both in the society and in the family . The caregivers of younger persons report higher levels of burden and stress than do the caregivers of older persons because they assume this role prematurely and juggle this with other roles (parental, professional…) . Early‐onset AD involves a long quest for a diagnosis, a longer caregiving period and more adverse effects on the family organisation and financial situation (reduction or loss of job) and an important social isolation .…”

“…The caregivers of younger persons report higher levels of burden and stress than do the caregivers of older persons because they assume this role prematurely and juggle this with other roles (parental, professional…) . Early‐onset AD involves a long quest for a diagnosis, a longer caregiving period and more adverse effects on the family organisation and financial situation (reduction or loss of job) and an important social isolation . Moreover, the evolution of the disease causes a redefinition of their spousal identity and relationship .…”