DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC18.181
Authors: Foo, Chotphoksap, Poh, Seow, Nguyen, Yip, Zhang, Pee, Kam , Tan, Aloweni, Mamun
Abstract:
The incidence of dementia is increasing in Singapore as the aging population increases. 1 Caring for patients with dementia is stressful and burdensome as they are often very dependent on others for all their daily needs.2-4 However, very few studies have explored the family caregiver’s burden in Singapore where it is the cultural norm to care for their elders at home. Aim: This study aimed to assess the caregiver burden among caregivers of patients with dementia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a geriatric clinic in an acute-care hospital. A convenience sample of family caregiver’s of dementia patients completed the Zarit burden interview and the Neuropsychiatric inventory questionnaire (NPIQ) was used to assess behavior of the patients. Results: A total of 202 caregiver-dyads were recruited. Caregiver’s mean age was 59; most caregivers were female (n= 142). Patient’s mean age was 82; most patients were female (n= 137). Only 9.4% had severe dementia and almost equal number of early (46%) and moderate dementia (45%) as assessed by the geriatricians using standardized criteria. Delusion was the most common behavior exhibited by the patients (42%). The stages of dementia did not affect the caregiver burden however, disinhibition and nighttime behaviors affects caregiver burden (p= <0.05). Conclusion: Disinhibition and sleeping behavior of patients with dementia affects caregiver’s burden in this study. Future research may consider designing a protocol that incorporates regular assessment and interventions to manage patients’ behavior in order to reduce caregiver’s burden.
Keywords: family caregivers, dementia, Singapore, caregiver burden
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