Factors Underlying Caregiver Stress in Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
2009; Karger Publishers; Volume: 27; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1159/000193626
ISSN1421-9824
AutoresEneida Mioshi, Matt Bristow, Rachel Cook, John R. Hodges,
Tópico(s)Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
Resumo<i>Background:</i> Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has devastating effects on patients and caregivers, yet the factors underlying caregiver stress are poorly understood. <i>Methods:</i> 108 caregivers (79 = FTD, 29 = Alzheimer’s disease) participated in a postal survey. Self-report measures of perceived stress, depression, social networks, as well as patient-based measures of behaviour change and activities of daily living were completed. <i>Results:</i> Depression was a cardinal feature in FTD caregivers, and it accounted for more than 58% of stress scores. Both depression and stress were significantly higher than in AD. Neither the severity of behaviour changes nor functional disability explained caregiver stress. <i>Conclusion:</i> Caregiver stress is a multidimensional construct, and FTD caregivers should receive more support than currently available. Depression plays a key role in coping ability.
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