Caregiver burden and perceived health competence when caring for family members diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

Abstract

To identify if there is a relationship between perceived health competence and burden of care of informal caregivers of family members with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). Informal caregivers 18 years and older who received services from the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska were invited to complete a survey. Findings indicate that there was a negative correlation between perceived health competence and burden of care (N = 64, r = -.54, p < .001). Additionally, there was a negative correlation within the three subscales of the Modified Montgomery-Borgatta Caregiver Burden Scale: objective burden (r = -.65, p = < .001), stress burden (r = -.41, p = .001), and relationship burden (r = -.29, p = .021, p = .001). Based on the findings of an association between increased caregiver burden and the perception of decreased health competence, nurse practitioners (NPs) can play an important role in assessing caregiver burden. The results of this study enlighten NPs about informal caregiver burden and will help guide discussions and assessments during routine healthcare visits with the goal of achieving optimal health for informal caregivers.