COGNITIVE PROFILE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COGNITION OF OLDER CAREGIVERS

• Published in: Innovation in aging 2017-07, Vol.1 (suppl_1), p.809-809
• Main Authors: Pavarini, S., Brigola, A., Luchesi, B.M., Terassi, M., Oliveira, N.A., Alexandre, T.d., Inouye, K., Ottaviani, A.I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.2922

Cognitive impairment is prevalent in elderly individuals and can influence the performance of tasks, especially when these are related to the delivery of care. The objective was to identify the cognitive profiles and factors associated with the cognition of elderly caregivers of elderly Brazilian individuals from a primary healthcare service. A total of 350 individuals, 60 years old or older, who cared for an elderly individual dependent in regard to at least one daily living activity were interviewed in their homes. Cognition, assessed by Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), was the outcome of interest in the logistic regression model. The results show that older caregivers were mainly women (77.6%), aged between 60 and 69 years old (59.3%), married (90.1%), and with low income (70.8%). In regard to cognition, 144 (41%) older caregivers obtained scores below the median adjusted by education. Association between being a caregiver and obtaining a score below the median in the ACE-R was found for the following: being a woman (OR=2.10; 1.06–4.18); providing care to father- or mother-in-law (OR=9.40; 1.16–76.2); being frail (OR=2.60; 1.13–6.05); living with spouse and child (OR=2.71; 1.34–5.46); not having affective support (OR=1.81; 1.05–3.11), and being dependent in instrumental daily living activities (OR=0.82;0.72–0.93). The percentage of older caregivers who scored below the median on the ACE-R is of concern. Loss of cognitive functions among older caregivers can be a complicating factor when it affects care provided to another elderly individual, not only because the quality of care provided may be affected, but also because it can become very costly for caregivers.