A Comparison of Health Perception, Entrapment, Suicidal Ideation, and Care Burden of Main Caregivers of Elderly Dementia Patients According to Depression Status

Abstract

With the rapid ageing of Korean society, the number of elderly dementia patients is on a sharp increase. Dementia cannot be cured; so, it has long-term effects not only on patients, but on their main caregivers, too. This descriptive comparative study seeks to analyze differences in the health perception, entrapment, suicidal ideation, and care burden of main caregivers of elderly dementia patients according to depression level and to identify the characteristics of elderly dementia patients. The study subjects are the main caregivers of dementia patients registered in dementia support centers under public health facilities in metropolitan areas. Sixty questionnaire copies were analyzed in this study. The results showed that the main caregivers’ depression status had significant correlations with their entrapment (r=.801), suicidal ideation(r=.495), care burden (.562), health perception(r=-.505), and elderly dementia patients’ hearing (p=.01). Given the study results, prevention and treatment of depression among main caregivers of elderly dementia patients may lower their entrapment, suicidal ideation, and care burden. In addition, since caregivers’ depression is related to elderly dementia patients’ hearing, it is necessary to take into account that relationship.