The health, psychological and social consequences of caring for a person with dementia.

Abstract

Most elderly persons with dementia (EDPs) are cared for at home, usually by their spouse or child. The present study examined the health, psychological, and social consequences of caregiving for an EDP and the impact of having the EDP attend a day care centre. Data were obtained from subjects comprising three groups: (a) caregivers with an EDP attending a day care centre (n = 45); (b) caregivers undertaking full-time care (n = 40); and (c) a comparison group of non-caregivers (n = 47), Overall, results indicate that caregivers suffer more negative consequences when compared with non-caregivers, and caregivers undertaking full-time care suffer more negative consequences than those with their EDP attending a day care centre. Negative consequences were related to symptoms, life satisfaction and social interaction, but not physical health. The study also established that access to day care reduced the negative consequences of caregiving.