Factors associated with the well-being of family caregivers of people with dementia.

Abstract

Improving the health and well-being of family caregivers of people with dementia has become an increasingly important public health and policy issue in China. The aims of this study were to clarify the factors associated with the well-being of family caregivers of people with dementia in China. Data were collected from a sample of 132 family caregivers who volunteered to study and live together with people with dementia who had been treated as outpatients in three hospitals in China. The survey included questions on the family caregivers' characteristics, satisfaction with family support, positive aspects of caregiving, preparedness of caregiving, and characteristics of people with dementia. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with the well-being of family caregivers. The mean age of the family caregivers (68.2% women) was 46.8 ± 14.9 years. The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that positive aspects of caregiving (β=0.352, P < 0.001), satisfaction with family support (β=0.219, P < 0.01), activities of daily living of people with dementia (β=0.265, P < 0.05), and household size (β=-0.184, P < 0.05) were related to the well-being of family caregivers. The findings from this study indicated that positive aspects of caregiving, satisfaction with family support, activities of daily living of people with dementia, and household size were significant factors related to the well-being of family caregivers. These findings could be expected to aid healthcare providers in identifying the optimal solution to enhance the well-being of family caregivers in China.