Risk factors of high burden caregivers of dementia patients institutionalized at day-care centres

摘要

[Abstract] We examined which variables are associatedwith day care centres utilization among caregivers ofdementia patients. A cross-sectional analysis of sociodemographicvariables, relationship with caring and psychologicalaspects was conducted in 58 informal caregiverswith intense burden. 58.6 % used day care assistance and41.4 % did not. The results showed the importance of thecommitment between the caregiver and their family andfriends. The use of day care services is independent of theage, gender, educational level, marital status, occupationand relationship with the patient. However, in the multivariateanalysis the provision of help by families andfriends predicted the use of day care assistance. Thebivariate analysis showed a significant relationshipbetween depressive symptoms and self-rated health withday care attendance. Screening the help provision fromfamilies and friends in caregivers of dementia patients withintense burden would be relevant to design interventionswhich delay their institutionalization and reduce costs.