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Caregiver Burden for Patients with Dementia with or Without Hiring Foreign Health Aides: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Northern Taiwan Memory Clinic
Nian-Sheng Tzeng1, Chiung-Wen Chang2, Ju-Yueh Hsu1, Yu-Ching Chou3, Hsin-An Chang1, Yu-Chen Kao4
1 Department of Psychiatry, Tri Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center; Student Counseling Center, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
2 Department of Psychiatry, Tri Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
3 School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
4 Department of Psychiatry, Tri Service General Hospital, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center; Department of Psychiatry, Tri Service General Hospital, Song-Shan Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
Correspondence Address:
Nian-Sheng Tzeng
325, Sec. 2, Cheng Gung Road, Nei Hu District 114, Taipei
Taiwan
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1011-4564.172999
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Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence, profile, and severity of dementia and the relative impact of these factors on caregiver burden in a selected population of persons with dementia and their caregivers. Methods: A convenience sample of 100 outpatients and their family caregivers dyads who presented to a memory clinic in one medical center during one consecutive year were recruited. The diagnosis and severity of dementia were determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version IV, Text Revision. The clinical dementia rating scale, mini-mental status examination, and Clinical Global Impression of severity were also administered. The caregiver strain index was used to assess caregiver burden. Results: Caregiver burden is related to the severity of dementia, impairment of cognitive function, and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms. The caregivers who were younger, nonspousal family members, had a poor relationship with the dementia patient, and psychosomatic symptoms after caring for the patient, or provided longer hours of care-giving, experienced greater strains. Hiring foreign helpers was not associated with a lower caregiver burden. Conclusions: Greater caregiver burden is associated with several factors related to persons with dementia and their caregivers. A possible over-burden on caregivers should be of concern in Taiwan. Hiring foreign helpers was not associated with a lower caregiver burden. |
