Psychological well-being of informal caregivers of elderly people with dementia: changes over time

Author(s): Deeg, D. J. H., VanDyck, R.

Journal/Book: Aging Ment Health. 1997; 1: PO Box 25, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England OX14 3UE. Carfax Publ Co. 261-268.

Abstract: Psychological well-being of caregivers of demented elderly people was investigated during two years of follow-up. Three groups of caregivers were distinguished: those providing care for two years after baseline; those whose care-recipient died within the first year after baseline, and those whose care-recipient was institutionalized within the first year. Compared to general population norms, all groups of caregivers showed a great amount of psychological distress, especially those whose elder suffering from dementia deceased within the first year after baseline. The course of psychological well-being of caregivers who continued to provide care during follow-up supported the wear-and-tear model: an overall deterioration of psychological well-being was found (measured by the GHQ-12 SCL-90-R and SWLS) as elders' functioning declined and caregiving at home continued. Specific increases were found on total amount of psychological distress, but also on the SCL-90-R subscales: Depression, Anxiety, Interpersonal Sensitivity and Paranoid Ideation and Difficulty with Cognitive Performance. No overall changes were found for caregivers whose demented care-recipient had died or was institutionalized in the first year after baseline. These data suggest that the high level of psychological distress and the deterioration in psychological well-being among informal caregivers of dementia patients is a reason to reconsider the merits of the current trend to have demented older people live on their own as long as possible. Additional support should be considered.

Note: Article Pot AM, Free Univ Amsterdam, Dept Psychiat, Fac Scw Lasa, de Boelelaan 1081C, Room O-534, NL-1081 HV Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS

Keyword(s): MINI-MENTAL-STATE; ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS; FAMILY CAREGIVERS; PHYSICAL HEALTH; DEPRESSION; PREVALENCE; DISTRESS; SUFFERERS; RELATIVES

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