In-home dementia caregiving is associated with greater psychological burden and poorer mental health than out-of-home caregiving: a cross-sectional study. (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brini, S.; Hodkinson, A.; Davies, A.; Hirani, S.; Gathercole, R.; Howard, R.; Newman, S. P.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 26:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 709
• Page End: 715
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: Caregiver burden -- mental health -- dementia -- informal caregiver -- psychological strain; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1881758
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Caregivers who live with a person with dementia who receives care, compared with those who live elsewhere, are often considered to experience greater levels of psychological and affective burden. The evidence for this is, however, only limited to studies employing small sample sizes and that failed to examine caregivers' psychological wellbeing. We address these issues in a large cohort of dementia caregivers. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing caregivers living with a dementia care recipient ( n = 240) to caregivers living elsewhere ( n = 255) on caregivers' burden, anxiety, and depression. Results: We found that caregivers living with the care recipient relative to those living elsewhere showed significantly greater burden and depression, but we found no group difference in anxiety. Conclusions: Our study adds to the evidence by showing that cohabiting with a care recipient with dementia is associated with greater burden and poorer psychological wellbeing. Strategies aiming to improve caregivers' burden and psychological wellbeing should take account of caregivers' living arrangements.