Investigation of care burden in dementia patient caregivers [Demansli Hastaya Bakim Verenlerİn Bakim Yükünün İncelenmesİ]

Introduction: This study was carried out to examine the burden on caregivers providing care for patients with dementia. Materials and Method: This is a descriptive and according to the time span a cross sectional study. It was carried out between 1 January 2008 and 31 June 2008. Totally 305 patients with dementia and 305 caregivers providing care for the patients were included in the study. One- Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal Wallis ANOVA, Mann Whitney U Test and Spearman's Rho analysis were used for the analysis of the data. Results: Caregivers in the study were grouped according to socio-demographic characteristics, care giving period, receiving assistance during care, being experienced in patient care, and working status. Differences in the caregiver's care burden scale total scores and the time dependence, developmental, physical, social and emotional burden scale scores that form the subdivision of the scale have been investigated within these groups. Conclusion: In view of the data obtained from the study, it can be suggested that "training-counseling programs" aiming at controlling dementia, which is a chronic disease requiring long term management and care, periodic health controls, counseling and training services for the caregivers should be instituted in line with the factors influencing the patients, and the circumstances affecting their caregivers. This training program should be provided by a rehabilitation team involving a physician, a nurse, a dietitian, a physiotherapist, a psychiatrist and a social worker