Caregiver burden and quality of life 2years after attendance at a memory clinic.

Abstract

We aimed to describe (1) the burden and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of informal caregivers of new patients attending a memory assessment service (MAS), (2) changes in these outcomes over 2years, and (3) satisfaction with services. Informal caregivers of patients attending one of 73 MASs throughout England completed questionnaires at the patient's first appointment, and 6 and 12months later. Participants from 30 of these MASs were also followed up at 24months. Questionnaires covered caregivers' sociodemographic characteristics, Zarit Burden Interview, EQ-5D-3L, and satisfaction with services. We used multivariable linear regression to assess relationships between burden, HRQL, and caregiver and patient characteristics. Of 1020 caregivers at baseline, 569 were followed up at 6months, 452 at 12months, and 187 at 24months. There was a small increase in caregiver burden over 2years (effect size 0.30 SD). These changes were not associated with most caregiver or patient characteristics, except socio-economic deprivation, which was associated with larger increases in burden at 2years. Caregivers' HRQL was weakly associated with burden and showed a small reduction over time (0.2 SD). Most caregivers were satisfied with services, but caregivers who were not satisfied with the services they received reported greater increases in burden. Increases in caregiver burden and reductions in HRQL appear to be small over the first 2years after attending a MAS. However, the longer term impact on caregivers and those they care for needs investigating, as do strategies to reduce their burden.