Prevalence of dementia and quality of life of caregivers of people living with dementia in Malaysia

• Published in: Geriatrics & gerontology international 2020-12, Vol.20 (S2), p.16-20
• Main Authors: Ganapathy, Shubash S, Sooryanarayana, Rajini, Ahmad, Noor Ani, Jamaluddin, Rasidah, Abd Razak, Mohamad A, Tan, Maw Pin, Mohd Sidik, Sherina, Mohamad Zahir, Suhaila, Sandanasamy, Karen Sharmini, Ibrahim, Nurashikin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Dementia; Dementia - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Malaysia - epidemiology; Male; Older people; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1444-1586; 1447-0594
• DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14031

Aim Dementia is the major cause of disability among older persons and leading physical and psychological sequelae for both the person living with dementia (PLwD) and their caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dementia in Malaysia and identify the factors influencing quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of PLwD. Methods A nationwide survey was conducted among individuals aged ≥60 years. Cognition was assessed with the Identification and Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) tool. QoL of older caregivers was assessed using the Control, Autonomy, Self‐Realization and Pleasure (CASP‐19) questionnaire. Results The prevalence of dementia among older adults aged ≥60 years in Malaysia was found to be 8.5%. The prevalence was found to be higher among females, those with no formal education and those in rural areas in Malaysia. The mean QoL of family caregivers of PLwD was significantly lower than the caregivers of older adults without dementia were (P