Caregivers of physically and mentally impaired elderly: an investigation of burden and depression

purpose of this study was to examine differences in burden and depression in caregivers of physically impaired older adults and caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease. The relationship between burden and depression was also examined. Itwas hypothesized that there would be no differences between caregivers of elders with Alzheimer's Disease and caregivers of elders with chronic physical impairments in the areas of caregiver age, ill relative age, length of relationship, and length of illness. It was also hypothesized that caregivers of elders with Alzheimer's disease would be found to be experiencing more burden and depression than caregivers of physically Impaired elders. A positive correlational relationship was hypothesized between burden and depression. The caregivers who participated In this study were recruited through area physicians. Eight were caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and fourteen were caregivers of older adults with chronic physical impairments. The Zarit Burden Interview and the Beck Depression inventory were the Instruments used to measure burden and depression. The caregivers also completed a demographics questionnaire, t-tests for independent samples yielded no significant differences between caregivers of elders with Alzheimer's Disease and caregivers of elders with chronic physical impairments in the areas of caregiver age, ill relative age, length of relationship, and length of illness. t-tests for Independen