Caregivers Of Dementia Patients Research Articles

Time Usage and Satisfaction Based on Occupational Area Between Weekdays and Weekends of Family Caregivers and Non-family Caregivers of Dementia Patients.

The number of people with dementia and the burden on families to care for them are increasing. As a result, families are affected in their use of time to carry out daily activities. This study compared family caregivers of dementia patients (dementia family) and non-family caregivers of dementia patients (non-dementia family), reflecting their characteristics on weekdays and weekends. There were 92 participants each in the groups dementia family and non-dementia family. Each group was divided into 121 people on weekdays and 71 people on weekends. Time usage was measured by occupational area. The variables assessed were "lack of time," "tiredness," "life satisfaction," and "leisure satisfaction." Variables including "house chores sharing" and "role division" were also assessed. The time usage of the Korea National Statistical Office's 2019 "time use survey" was reclassified based on the occupational areas of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework-Fourth Edition, and time usage and satisfaction were analyzed. Frequency analysis and independent t-test were used for statistical processing. On weekdays, the dementia family showed less time usage in the "leisure" area for men and "social participation" area for women than the non-dementia family. On weekends, dementia family showed less time usage in the "activities of daily living" (ADLs) area than the non-dementia family and women in dementia family showed less time usage in "ADLs" area compared to women in the non-dementia family. Satisfaction was found to be higher in terms of "lack of time" and "tiredness" on weekdays and "tiredness" on weekends in dementia family than in the non-dementia family. Time usage and satisfaction of dementia family and non-dementia family showed differences during weekdays and weekends. These results suggest that for family caregivers of dementia patients, it is necessary to improve the efficient use of time and satisfaction during weekdays and holidays.

A Study on the Experiences of Family Caregivers of Dementia Patients in Utilizing Dementia Management Services

A Study on the Experiences of Family Caregivers of Dementia Patients in Utilizing Dementia Management Services

The effectiveness of case management and nursing counselling among caregivers of patients with dementia: A pilot study.

According to the data released by the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2021, in 2019, 235,000 patients sought medical treatment for dementia-related diseases at the National-Health-Insurance-participating hospitals and clinics for more than three outpatient visits or had been hospitalised, and the number had increased by 15,000 from the previous year (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2021). This implies that families are affected, causing tremendous physical, psychological, and economic pressures and burdens on the caregivers and families of the patient. The estimated social cost of caring for dementia families increased from $1.3 trillion in 2019 to $2.8 trillion in 2030 (World Health Organisation, 2021). Thus, long-term care for the dementia population has become a critical issue in medical care and social services in Taiwan and worldwide. In 2017, Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare has been starting Dementia care policy with 10 years long-term care plan through set up dementia care centre. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of dementia care centre for reducing the burden and improving the quality of life for caregivers of dementia patients. This pilot study adopts a quasi-experimental research design and uses purposive sampling to select in house informal caregivers of dementia patients who are part of a dementia collaborative care programme at a medical centre in the northern region and were willing to participate in this study. Upon enrolment in the study, subjects were given a pre-test, followed by a one-hour face-to-face nursing consultation and assessment after 2weeks. Subsequently, a telephone nursing consultation was conducted once a month for 3months. Two weeks after completing all counselling sessions, a post-test was administered to measure the caregiver burden with The Chinese version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory and the quality of life for caregivers with The 'Chinese Health Questionnaire CHQ-12'. After providing case management and nursing counselling, the total caregiver burden score significantly decreased from an average of 40.1 (SD=21.6) at the pre-test to an average of 38.6 (SD=21.4) at the post-test, reaching statistical significance (p<0.01). The results of this study showed that providing dementia caregivers with case management and nursing consultation services helpsimprove the overall caregiver burden (particularly emotional burden and physical burden) as well as the health questionnaire scores. However, the social burden and time burden did not improve after receiving case management and counselling among caregivers; instead, post-test scores of these aspects were significantly higher.

The effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercise on dementia caregivers

While progressive muscle relaxation has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression in general populations, its impact on caregivers of dementia patients remains understudied. This study investigated the effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) in improving the well-being of dementia caregivers. Caregivers of individuals with dementia (n = 57) participated in a 3-month intervention, engaging in PMR thrice weekly. Participants completed assessments of depression, anxiety, stress, and caregiver burden at pre-test and post-intervention period. The intervention led to significant reductions in anxiety, stress, depression, and caregiver burden among participants. Female caregivers reported to have higher levels of anxiety and stress compared to males. Caregivers under financial stress showed high levels of distress and increased caregiver burden. These promising findings suggest the need for further research with larger, multicenter samples. Notably, PMR is a readily implementable intervention by nurses, requiring minimal equipment and offering a cost-effective approach to supporting caregiver well-being.

"He is changing, but I'm changing too": An interpretative phenomenological analysis of spouse caregivers' identity in the context of dementia.

This study explores the process through which informal caregivers, particularly spouses, construct their identity within the context of caregiving for individuals with dementia. Despite extensive research in psychology aimed at defining caregiving (e.g. tasks, consequences), few informal caregivers identify themselves as such. For instance, the affective bond shared between caregivers and care-recipients often imbues caregiving responsibilities with a sense of "naturalness," especially if the care-recipient is a spouse. To investigate the nature of caregiver identity construction, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with spouse caregivers of dementia patients. The collected data underwent interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Perceiving changes in my partner, which involves recognising alterations in the care-receiver's characteristics due to dementia; (2) Processing changes, encompassing the experience of grieving losses and reminiscing about the past; and (3) Perceiving changes in myself, referring to the acknowledgement of personal changes due to caregiving. The study emphasises the dynamic and ongoing nature of caregiver identity construction, which begins with the early recognition of changes in the care-receiver. Interestingly, spouse caregivers oscillate between their identity as a spouse and caregiver, influenced by how they process changes undergone by their partner. Contrasting with previous theories on caregivers' identity, our results focus of caregivers' perceptions rather than their relationship with the care-recipient or caregiving tasks.

Improving the quality of communicating with dementia patients: A virtual reality‐based simulated communication approach

AbstractDementia patients may have language barriers and decreased comprehension ability. Their family caregivers can feel frustrated when communicating with them. Poor communication hinders family caregivers from obtaining accurate health information about patients, and may also increase their emotional burden, affecting patient care quality. The present study developed a virtual reality‐based simulated communication training (VRSCT) system and applied it to a training course for family caregivers of dementia patients. It allowed family caregivers to simulate real‐world situations in a VR environment, experience the daily communication barriers and stress with dementia patients, and apply their acquired knowledge and skills to solve related problems. This study used a randomised control experimental design with mixed analysis methods. A total of 63 family caregivers were recruited and randomly divided into the experimental group (N = 32) learning with the VRSCT system to interact with virtual dementia patients and practice communication skills, and the control group (N = 31) using the traditional role‐playing method for practice. Quantitative data were analysed to determine participants' knowledge of dementia care, attitudes, communication confidence and skills. In addition, the qualitative method was used to analyse the participants' discussion records. The results showed that by using the VRSCT approach, participants significantly improved their knowledge of dementia care, attitudes, communication confidence and communication skills compared to the control group. In addition, participants reported that through the real‐time feedback of the VRSCT system, they could recognise their previous incorrect communication approach. As a result, they adjusted their communication strategies and increased their self‐confidence. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Situational simulation helps learners improve their communication skills in a safe environment. Virtual reality (VR) creates a realistic, highly interactive learning environment, allowing users to be deeply immersed in the learning experience. What this paper adds This study proposed a VR‐based simulated communication training (VRSCT) approach; moreover, seven dementia cases of different degrees of severity were designed in the VR system to enable family members to experience possible challenges of taking care of dementia patients they might encounter in their daily lives. Each case in the VRSCT system has its unique symptoms and communication barriers. The learner in the story plays a caregiver, experiencing and solving the problems and challenges posed by the system. The experimental results show that the proposed method improves learners' knowledge, attitudes, communication confidence, and communication skills related to dementia care. Implications for practice and/or policy Utilising VR training can amplify awareness and secure enhanced social support for dementia‐related challenges. Using VRSCT, as governments and institutions recognise the effectiveness of VR training, they will provide more resources and promote its widespread application.

The mediating role of coping strategies between caregiving burden and pre-death grief among Chinese adult-child caregivers of dementia patients.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between caregiving burden and pre-death grief, with a specific focus on adult-child caregivers in mainland China. Additionally, the study explored whether coping strategies played a mediating role in this correlation. A convenience sample of 320 adult-child caregivers of older parents with dementia from Kunming, mainland China, was recruited for the study. Data were collected using the Chinese version of the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory-Short Form, the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, and the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised. Results using linear regression and multiple mediation analysis with Hayes' process model indicated that caregiving burden was positively related to pre-death grief and that active coping mediated the relationship between them. In the female group, active coping partially mediated the association between caregiving burden and pre-death grief, but in the male group, this mediating effect did not exist. The study found evidence supporting the link between caregiving burden and pre-death grief among adult-child caregivers of older parents with dementia in mainland China. Furthermore, the caregiving burden prevented the use of active coping, and this decrease in coping increased the perception of pre-death grief. These associations only existed in the female group. This paper presented the importance of active coping skills in the dementia caregiving process. The findings of this study emphasize the necessity for health practitioners to provide targeted interventions regarding pre-death grief among dementia caregivers and strengthen caregivers' active coping strategies to reduce their pre-death grief. Community-based and personal care support services should be promoted to alleviate their caregiving burden. We have adhered to the transparent reporting of evaluations with quantitative design statements and the corresponding checklist was followed. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: 'No patient or public involvement'.

Educational Needs Assessment for Family Caregivers of Dementia Patients.

People living with dementia are highly dependent on caregivers. We conducted an online survey with regard to caregivers' educational experiences, needs, and expectations. We found that most of the participants lacked educational experiences and expected updated methods through metaverse in virtual reality. Therefore, future studies should verify the effectiveness of education.

Caring burden and quality of life among the caregivers of people living with dementia – a cross-sectional study in Udupi district of Karnataka

ABSTRACT Dementia is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects cognitive performance. The caregivers of individuals with dementia experience a greater burden that affects their Quality of Life (QoL). This cross-sectional study conducted in India was designed to assess the caring burden and QoL among the caregivers of people with dementia, as well as to ascertain the relationship between QoL scores and burden. Our sample included 80 caregivers of people with dementia. Most of the caregivers (n = 59, 73.8%) had a higher level of caregiver burden. There was a negative correlation between caregiver burden scores and QoL. A higher level of caregiver stress and low QoL were experienced by caregivers of dementia patients. In developing countries like India, counseling, and education on home health care for people with dementia should be provided to reduce the burden and enhance the QoL of caregivers.

From empathy to action: design thinking as a catalyst for community-based participatory research in dementia caregiving

This article delves into the understudied realm of investigating the potential benefits of integrating design thinking into community-based participatory research within the context of culturally diverse dementia caregivers. Following the Double-Diamond process model, we conducted a series of workshops with 15 family caregivers of dementia patients from three distinct communities (multi-racial, Black, and Latino ethnicity) to gain insights into their daily experiences and co-create interventions that could address their pressing challenges. The research question for this study aimed to explore the potential benefits of design thinking in community-based research on dementia caregiving. Our findings contribute to the health design community by demonstrating the potential of design thinking to (1) uncover common and distinct challenges in diverse communities, (2) translate findings into actionable solutions, and (3) design tailored interventions that are responsive to the context-specific needs of the community. Our study leads us to conclude that the integration of design thinking as a catalyst in community-based participatory research has the potential to amplify the identification of nuanced and previously unexamined challenges through empathetic exploration, and to propose innovative interventions that are more amenable to uptake and acceptance within the community.

Risk factor of suicidal thoughts in caregivers of dementia patients: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

AbstractBackgroundDementia is a neurologic syndrome that affects several domains of daily life. However it does not exclusively affect the patient, but relatives, friends and caregivers, who are people constantly in contact with the patient. Deterioration of cognition and daily life activities may affect mental health of the caregiver. In this systematic review, we collected evidence regarding risk factors of suicidal thoughts among caregivers of patients with dementia.MethodA search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to January 2023. Observational studies that analyzed factors associated with suicidal thoughts in caregivers were selected and revised. Meta‐analyses were performed with R Studio.ResultFour studies were selected for this systematic review. Only one study assessed caregivers of dementia and non‐dementia patients. Total sample size was 2224. Mean age was approximately 60 years. We did not find significant differences between caregivers with and without suicidal thoughts in age, educational level, religious status, being a woman, being spouse or caring one year or more. However, we found that CES tool score for depression was higher in those caregivers who reported suicidal thoughts (MD: 8.03, 95% CI: 6.26‐9.80).ConclusionDepression is a risk factor of suicidal thoughts, however more efforts should be done to assess non‐typical risk factors of suicidal thoughts among caregivers. We highly recommend increasing the sample size for future studies.

Impact of COVID‐19 in cognitively unimpaired individuals and dementia caregivers from the Peruvian Alzheimer Disease Initiative (PeADI)

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic has profoundly affected people’s lives worldwide. Stress and social restriction have a negative physical and psychological effect on people with dementia and their caregivers. Peru was one of the countries that experienced social restrictions and high rates of COVID‐19 morbidity and mortality.MethodsWe assessed the NIA‐NIH COVID‐19 impact survey for unrelated cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals and caregivers from the PeADI cohort (case‐control genetic study for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias) from five different regions across Peru.ResultsWe analyzed 249 COVID‐19 impact surveys,65 dementia patient caregivers and 184 older CU individuals. Among caregivers,86% felt isolated and 55.3% less connected with friends and family. 87.6% felt disrupted in everyday life, and 83% could not control the important things in their life. 44.6% found more difficult to provide care. The limitations on care include:physician appointments 64.6%,respite by family or friends 36.9%,day activity programs 32.35%, and overnight or extended‐stay respite care 16.9%. About 61.5% of them significantly reduced their household income. Almost 51% negatively changed their willingness to participate in clinical research if it required in‐person visits. Among the 184 CU individuals (mean age: 69.5± 3.8 years; 58.2% women). About 40.2% had new or worsening symptoms while thinking they had COVID‐19.About 60% were tested for Covid‐19 at least once, 29.3% were diagnosed with COVID‐19, and 2.1% were hospitalized. About 70% felt worried about getting or being reinfected by COVID‐19, 68.5% felt isolated from family and friends, 84.2% felt disrupted daily life, and 68.4% felt unable to control the important things in their life. About 60% had significantly reduced household income.About 52% of the CU noticed health changes (memory and thinking 31.2%, depression 42.7%, anxiety 51%, or behavior 46.8%).About 58% changed their willingness to participate in clinical research if it required in‐person visits.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the COVID‐19 pandemic has affected dementia patient caregivers and CU individuals, both experienced variable changes in their mental health and significantly reduced household income.Caregivers have significant concerns regarding limited access to healthcare for their patients.CU individuals experienced fear of COVID‐19 reinfection.Further longitudinal surveys are required to explore changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms over time.

Caregiver Burdens, Health Risks, Coping and Interventions among Caregivers of Dementia Patients: A Review of the Literature.

Over 55 million people reportedly suffer from dementia worldwide. In Japan, it is estimated that 1 in 5 people over 65 years old will have dementia by 2025, of which more than 20% will live with symptoms that require home/nursing care. Given the lack of effective medical treatments for dementia, informal caregivers play essential roles in allowing dementia patients to live with dignity. Our review focusing on caregiver burden showed that this burden has not been sufficiently addressed, despite having negative effects on caregivers' health, employment, and finances. It is important to consider non-pharmacological interventions that contribute to effective coping strategies for mitigating the caregiver burden. Online communication tools may be a viable intervention measure to educate caregivers on the importance of sharing resilient coping strategies to reduce their stress so that they can continue to provide care for their loved ones.

Burn Out and Psychological Distress among Care Givers of Dementia Patients Attending the Out Patient Geriatric Clinics of Two Nigerian Tertiary Health Institutions

Aim: This study investigated burnout and psychological distress among 460 caregivers of dementia patients attending the outpatient geriatric clinics of two Nigerian tertiary health institutions. Study Design: The study used the descriptive cross sectional study design. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at the outpatient geriatric clinics of two tertiary health institutions in Enugu, South East Nigeria between the months of July and August 2023. Methodology: A total of 460 care givers of dementia patients, aged 18- 65 years, attending the outpatient geriatric clinics of two tertiary health institutions in Enugu, who consented to participate in the study, were assessed for burnout and psychological distress using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Results: Result showed that 23.9% had emotional exhaustion, 14.6% had depersonalization and 18.5% had reduced personal accomplishment, while psychological distress was present in 39.6% of the respondents. Significant relationships were noticed between age and psychological distress, \(\chi\)2=57.36; p= 0.03; marital status and burnout \(\chi\)2=10.95; P= 0.01 as well as education and psychological distress \(\chi\)2=10.95; p= 0.05. Conclusion: High levels of burnout and psychological distress were present among the caregivers who participated in the study, in view of this there is need for government to ensure proper institutional care for dementia patients and provide some incentives for those who care for them. Policy formulation should also aim at establishing community caregiving centers were dementia patients can receive adequate attention from government agencies.

Psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the MM-CGI-SF in caregivers of people with dementia.

Caregivers of people with dementia may experience characteristic grief linked to present and anticipated losses before the physical death of the care recipient occurs, which is related to physical and mental health problems. The Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Inventory-Short Form (MM-CGI-SF) is an instrument that assesses this type of grief. Since there are no studies on an adaptation of the MM-CGI-SF to the Spanish population, the aim of the study was to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of caregivers of dementia patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out. The tool was translated and adapted into Spanish, which was administered to 250 caregivers of people with dementia in the province of Huelva, together with other related instruments. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency reliability were calculated using Cronbach's alpha, for the total questionnaire and for each subscale. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed and the Spanish version of the MM-CGI-SF was correlated with the rest of the variables by calculating Spearman's correlation coefficient. 80.4% of the participants were female and had high levels of caregiver grief ( = 64.62, SD = 14.86). Cronbach's alpha for the general questionnaire was 0.927 and between 0.822-0.854 for its subscales. The fit values of the CFA were: x2 = 202.033, degrees of freedom = 121, x2 /df = 1.670, TLI = 0.954, CFI = 0.963, SRMR = 0.047, RMSEA = 0.052; and all the correlations were statistically significant. The Spanish version of the MM-CGI-SF shows adequate psychometric properties. Thanks to this instrument, health professionals may measure caregiver grief, get closer to the reality of dementia care, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to manage this grief.

Investigation of the Effect of an Online Supportive Education Program on the Family Caregivers’ Resilience and Abuse of People with Dementia: A Controlled Randomized Trial

Dementia and its progressive nature necessitate care and impose dependency on family caregivers, exposing them to psychological distress and even abuse of people with dementia. The effects of psychological distress and subsequent abuse can be lessened with increased resilience. This study investigates the effect of a supportive online education program on family caregivers’ resilience and abuse of people with dementia. In total, 74 family caregivers of dementia patients participated in this controlled randomized trial, which was conducted from February 2022 to July 2022. Data were gathered using the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire, and the Caregiver Abuse Screen. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of baseline variables, resilience, and abuse. The intervention resulted in no significant difference in the scores of resilience ( p = .08) and abuse ( p = .447). Both the intervention ( p = .430) and control ( p = .082) groups showed no evidence of a significant change in resilience between before and after the intervention. However, a significant difference was found in the abuse scores before and after the study in the intervention group ( p = .022). The intervention did not significantly affect family caregivers’ resilience and abuse of people with dementia, but it reduced abuse in the intervention group. Taking note of these results, this study proposes other solutions to improve outcomes, and also education and support of family caregivers to diminish their abuse of people with dementia.

Burden in caregivers of primary care patients with dementia: influence of neuropsychiatric symptoms according to disease stage (NeDEM project)

BackgroundCaregiver burden is related to personal factors and patient characteristics and is greater when neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) are present. Objective: Estimate the prevalence of burden among caregivers of dementia patients and its association with NPSs and identify NPSs causing greater caregiver distress according to dementia stage.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study in caregivers of noninstitutionalized dementia patients was conducted. Caregiver variables were sociodemographic, time of care, NPS-associated distress based on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Caregiver Distress Scale (NPI-D) and burden based on the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Patient variables were time since disease onset, Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) disease stage, functional assessment and NPS presence and intensity according to the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The mean ZBI score, prevalence of burden and NPI-D score with 95% CIs at each dementia stage were estimated. Factors associated with burden were identified by multivariate analysis.ResultsOf the 125 caregivers included, 77.6% were women, with a mean age of 60.7 (± 14.3) years; 78.4% (95%CI: 71.0; 86.0) experienced burden. The mean ZBI score was 12.3 (95%CI: 11.6; 12.9) and increased according to NPS number (p = 0.042). The NPSs causing the most burden were disinhibition (93.5%), irritability (87.3%) and agitation (86.1%). Agitation, apathy, and sleep disorders were the NPSs generating the greatest overall caregiver distress; depression (max NPI-D 1.9), hyperactivity (max NPI-D 2.1), and psychosis symptoms (max NPI-D 1.6) generated the greatest distress at stage GDS 3, stages GDS 4–5, and stages GDS 6–7, respectively. The NPI score (OR = 1.0, 95%CI 1.0; 1.1), intensity of irritability (OR = 1.2, 95%CI 1.0; 1.6), disinhibition (OR = 2.6, 95%CI 1.1; 5.8) and hyperactivity subsyndrome (OR = 1.1, 95%CI 1.0; 1.2) were associated with caregiver burden. Other associated factors were female gender (OR = 6.0, 95%CI 1.6; 22.8), ≥ 8 h daily care (OR = 5.6, 95%CI 1.4; 22.8), working outside the home (OR = 7.6, 95%CI 1.8; 31.8), living with the patient (OR = 4.5, 95%CI 1.1; 19.6), kinship (OR = 5.4, 95%CI 1.0; 28.2) and lower patient education (OR = 8.3, 95%CI 2.3; 30.3).ConclusionsThe burden on caregivers of dementia patients is high and associated with NPS presence and intensity. Disinhibition and irritability caused the highest burden. Depression, hyperactivity and psychosis produce more distress in mild, mild-moderate and severe dementia, respectively.

PERSONAL TRAITS OF CAREGIVERS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA

Dementia is a debilitating condition characterized by memory decline, impaired cognitive functions, behavioural changes, and difficulties in performing daily activities. It predominantly affects older individuals and is a leading cause of disability. The global prevalence of dementia is on the rise, primarily due to population aging. Many individuals with dementia are cared for at home by their family members, who face the potential risk of caregiver burden and psychological stress stemming from the changing psychological state of the dementia patients. Providing daily care for individuals with dementia necessitates caregivers' active engagement in personal adaptation processes and the utilization of psychosocial resources. The purpose of this study is to determine the peculiarities of character accentuations of caregivers for patients with dementia.&#x0D; The study demonstrated that approximately 80% of patients with dementia receive care from their relatives. We conducted a comprehensive examination encompassing sociodemographic, clinical-psychopathological, psychodiagnostic, and statistical analyses. The methodology of K. Leongard - N. Schmieschek (1970) allowed us to establish a profile of personal accentuation of the studied groups, which took into account the presence of a certain type at the level of a sign, tendency or clearly present characteristic. Our findings revealed a statistically significant predominance of anxious (χ2=10.759, p=0.002) and stuck (χ2=4.166, p=0.042) accentuation types among individuals in Group I who possessed caregiving skills, compared to those in Group II. Conversely, caregivers in Group II exhibited a prevalent tendency towards demonstrative behaviour (χ2=8.028, p=0.005).&#x0D; Through this study, we established characterological profiles with pronounced accentuations for individuals fulfilling the role of caregivers for dementia patients. This enables us to consider the unique personal characteristics when developing psychocorrective measures for caregivers. For this particular category of individuals, counselling assistance is recommended, along with psychoeducational measures aimed at raising awareness and enhancing the quality of life.

Effect of Types of Dementia Care on Quality of Life and Mental Health Factors in Caregivers of Patients with Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

In Eastern cultures, particularly in South Korea, caregiving for dementia patients at home is common, yet even after facility placement, families may experience ongoing burden due to cultural factors. The aim of this study was to examine the burden experienced by caregivers of dementia patients, considering cultural factors influencing in-home care and facility-based care. Using a cross-sectional study design, we compared the quality of life, depression, subjective happiness, and subjective health of family caregivers providing in-home care (FCHC) and informal family caregivers (IFCGs). Data from the 2019 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) that met the study criteria were selected and statistically analyzed. The results showed that psychological/emotional and economic burdens were the primary burden factors for both FCHC and IFCGs. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of quality of life, depression, subjective happiness, and subjective health. Specifically, FCHC demonstrated a lower quality of life, and both groups experienced moderate to severe depression, indicating the need for mental health management for caregivers of individuals with dementia. As not all FCHC can be transitioned to IFCGs, interventions tailored to specific caregiving types should be developed to improve the quality of life, depression, subjective happiness, and subjective health of caregivers of individuals with dementia.

Time usage analysis according to occupational area and satisfaction level in family caregivers of dementia patients.

This study was designed to investigate the difference between the family caregivers of dementia patients (hereafter referred to as dementia family) and the non-family caregivers of dementia patients (hereafter referred to as non-dementia family) in terms of time usage. A total of 102 dementia families who responded to the 'time use survey' in 2019 were enrolled in the study. 101 non-dementia families include families who did not respond to the 'dementia' item, and simple random sampling was performed. Time usage according to occupational area and satisfaction level were analyzed based on the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework-Fourth Edition (OTPF-4). Statistical analyses were completed using IBM SPSS 25. The data was analyzed by using frequency analysis and independent two-sample t-test. A level of p<0.05 was used as a cut-off for statistical significance. As for the time consumption by occupational area of dementia families and non-dementia families, dementia families spent more time than non-dementia families in instrumental daily life activities. The increase in the time for instrumental activities of daily living, including the time for caring for dementia patients, may lead to changes in time use for members of the family with dementia. By comparing the time usage by occupational area according to gender within the dementia families, it was possible to find out the difference between male and female instrumental daily activities and health care time use. The difference in time use according to gender showed that women took on more caring roles than men, and actually spent more time than men. The amount of time used between the dementia family and the non-dementia family differed according to the group and gender. These results suggest that dementia can cause changes in the time usage of dementia family. Therefore, this study recognizes the need for efficient use of time for dementia families and suggests that there is a need for a balanced use of time according to gender.