A Prospective Study of Caregiver Burden in an Outpatient Comprehensive

This study examined the determinants of caregiver burden on admission to a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) program & identified the predictors of a reduction in caregiver burden at four-month follow-up. A total of 141 patient/caregiver dyads participated (76.6% of patients had a diagnos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical gerontologist 2006-01, Vol.29 (4), p.47-60
Main Authors: Aminzadeh, Faranak, Byszewski, Anna, Dalziel, William Burd
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Burden
Caregiver Burden
Caregivers
Caretakers
Discontent
Elderly people
Geriatrics
Outpatients
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Summary:This study examined the determinants of caregiver burden on admission to a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) program & identified the predictors of a reduction in caregiver burden at four-month follow-up. A total of 141 patient/caregiver dyads participated (76.6% of patients had a diagnosis of dementia). Using multiple regression analysis, four variables emerged as the determinants of caregiver burden on admission: lower caregiver well-being, higher frequency of patient dysfunctional behaviors, providing assistance with personal care tasks, & dissatisfaction with help received (R2 = 0.55, P < 0.001). At follow-up, there was a statistically significant reduction in caregiver burden only among those who expressed "high" burden on admission (P < 0.05). Higher baseline burden, providing less than 15 hours of weekly assistance, a positive change in caregiver well-being, & the caregivers' perception of sufficiency of help received from informal sources predicted a reduction in burden (R2 = 0.45, P < 0.001). The results inform future risk appraisal & targeting strategies in this setting. Tables, References. Adapted from the source document. COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM: HAWORTH DOCUMENT DELIVERY CENTER, The Haworth Press, Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580
ISSN:0731-7115
DOI:10.1300/J018v29n04_04