Study On The Present Situation And Influential Factors Of Care Burden Of Family Caregivers For Patients With Dementia

Objectives:To investigate the family caregivers’burden for senile patients with dementia and explore the related factors; To describe the caregivers’experience; To provide effective evidence to enhance the quality of life of the family caregivers.Methods:A cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted.The research objects were senile patients with dementia and their family caregivers in Changsha.The investigation was carried out from April2012to April2013.147subjects were recruited, including caregivers of inpatients, outpatients and community dwelling patients. Research instruments included four parts:General Information Questionnaire,Caregiver Burden Inventory(CBI),Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire(NPI-Q).8caregivers were participated in semi-structure interview.All data were put into SPSS18.0software for statistical analysis.Statistic methods included descriptive analysis,t-test,analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis H analysis,Pearson-correlation analysis, multiple linear stepwise regression,and Colazizi’s phenomenological analysis.Results:(1)The mean total score of CBI was40.24±15.40.The mean factor score were from0.61to2.99, standard deviation was from3.51to4.80.The highest factor score of caregiver burden was time-dependence burden, and then developmental burden, physical burden, social burden, emotional burden.(2)Subjective support and objective support had a significant negtive correlation to CBI,NPI-Q severty and NPI-Q distress had a significant positive correlation to CBI.(3)Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed:co-residence, finacial burden,levels of assistance in ADLs, severty of BPSD(Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia) were included in the regression equation(F=27.144, P=0.000) in which dependent variable was family caregivers’ burden.These four factors could explain47.3%of the variation for the caregivers’ burden.(4)Four themes were extracted from the qualitative data:Theme one was that excessive physical and psychological burden.Theme two was lack of help and support from others.Theme three was that deep feelings for the patients were the main power of caregiving.Theme four was facing the reality and self adjustment.Conclusions:(1)Family caregivers of dementia patients had a high level of care burden.They were time-dependent burden, developmental burden, physical burden, social burden and emotional burden.(2) The influential factors of care burden of family caregivers included co-residence,finacial burden, levels of assistance in ADLs and severty of BPSD. (3)Care experience of family caregiver for patients with dementia included heavy pressure,lack of help and support,et al.Care burden had a influence on care experience.(4)Socio-demographic characteristics and environmental factors of family caregivers can affect care burden.