Health self-perception by dementia family caregivers: sociodemographic and clinical factors

Abstract

Caring for a demented family member has been associated with burden. Studies concerning health self-perception of family caregivers are still scarce. Objective: To investigate caregivers perceived health and to look into relationships with patients and caregivers' sociodemographic and clinical data. Method: Dyads of dementia outpatients and family caregivers (n=137) were assessed with Mini Mental State Examination, Functional Activities Questionnaire, Neuropsychiatric Inventory and Clinical Dementia Rating. Caregivers answered Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, Zarit Burden Interview and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: Caregivers poor perceived health was associated with emotional exhaustion, burden, depression and anxiety. Logistic regression analyses revealed caregivers' age, anxiety and physical problem as the main predictors of health self-perception. Conclusion: Aged family caregivers with anxiety who also report physical problem characterize a group at risk for poor self-perceived health. Evaluation of health self-perception may be useful for designing interventions to improve anxiety and physical health. Key words: dementia family caregiver, dementia, health self-perception, age, anxiety.Autopercepção de saúde em cuidadores familiares de pacientes com demência: fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos RESUMO Cuidar de familiar com demência tem sido associado a sobrecarga. Estudos sobre autopercepção de saúde em cuidadores ainda são escassos. Objetivo: Investigar autopercepção de saúde em cuidadores e relação entre dados sociodemográficos e clínicos de cuidadores e pacientes. Método: Díades de pacientes demenciados e cuidadores familiares (n=137) foram avaliados pelo Mini Exame do Estado Mental,

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“…2,4,[22][23][24] However, the vast majority of caregivers in the current study were spouses residing with the patients. Although caregivers affected by a higher subjective burden may be more likely to ask for help, up to one-third of caregivers feel ''trapped by their roles,'' while 40% do not feel supported by health and social services.…”

“…22 One reason for this is the association between a patient's declining health status and the increasing burden upon the caregiver. In addition, the number of hours of care and intensity of care provided has correlated with severity of depression.…”

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