Influence of the type of dementia and duration of care in the state of the main caregiver

Abstract

Dementia is considered one of the main causes of disability and dependence in older adults. Informal care in dependent persons and especially in the case of dementias, has an enormous impact on the main caregiver (Cáceres and Mateos, 2013, Losada, Montorio, Izal and Márquez, 2006, Matellanes, Díaz and Montero, 2010). The objective of this study is to determine how the variables duration of care and type of dementia influence the main caregivers. For this, a sample of 43 caregivers of patients with dementia has been administered the following instruments: Income interview, CES-D scale (depression), HAD-A subscale (anxiety); CBI scale (load), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, Duke-Unc social support questionnaire, CGQ questionnaire (guilt) and WHOQoL-BRIEF quality of life scale. The results indicate that the duration of care produces significant differences in the self-esteem and quality of life of the caregiver. Likewise, the type of dementia influences the support and perceived overload of the caregiver. Caregivers of patients with vascular and mixed dementia perceive a lower degree of overload and consider that they receive less social support compared to Alzheimer's and other dementia or vascular patients.