Abstract
Objective To investigate the current status of the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of primary home caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To propose targeted intervention measures to improve home caregivers’ ability of caring, by analyzing influencing factors. Methods 76 family caregivers of patients diagnosed as AD in a third-class hospital in Guangzhou were selected for this survey of convenient sampling. These patients were followed up at home after discharge from the hospital, and their main family caregivers were investigated by knowledge, attitude, practice questionnaire. Results The total scores of knowledge, attitude and practice of the home caregivers of AD patients respectively were (53.16±8.78), (33.53±4.69), (56.34±13.39). There were statistically significant differences between the self-care ability of patients, the occurrence of AD symptoms and the knowledge score of caregivers (P < 0.05). The age of the caregiver was negatively correlated with attitude. The younger caregiver obtained the higher attitude score. And more knowledge about the patient's condition resulted in higher practice score and care ability. Conclusions The scores of home caregivers of patients with AD remain low in knowledge, attitude and practice, so it is necessary to strengthen the health education and care guidance for these caregivers. In this way, the caregivers can obtain more social support to improve their ability to care for patients.
Highlights
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with insidious onset and progressive declines
According to the advance of the disease and severity of cognitive impairment, 53.4% of patients suffered severe impairment in self-care ability. Their family caregivers were at an average age of 57.05±12.20, among whom females took up 84.9% and employed
The current study suggests that more positive attitude leads to better care ability, which is consistent with other studies
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with insidious onset and progressive declines. It is characteristic of such symptoms of general dementia as memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, impaired visuospatial skills, executive dysfunction, and personality and behavior changes. Patients with AD need long-term home caring which is costly and renders heavy physical, financial and psychological burdens on the caregivers’ shoulders [2]. Their knowledge, attitude and practice have direct influence on the quality of home caring for the AD patients. A home intervention program for patients with AD will be explored and set up
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