Problems reported by relatives in a community study of dementia

Article Abstract:

The primary caretakers of 120 home-based elderly people (42 men and 78 women) with dementia were administered rating scales to assess problems associated with dementia, the frequency and severity of those problems, and the relationships between problems and the level of caretaker-strain. The elderly patients' ages ranged from 73 to 106 years, with an average age of 84. Screening for cognitive impairment found that 58 patients were mildly demented, 50 were moderately demented, and 12 were severely demented. The caretaker group included 43 spouses, 50 children, and 27 other relatives. A group of non-demented elderly people matched for age and demographic variables were also evaluated by their primary caretakers for comparison purposes. The results showed that the number of problems a patient had, the severity of those problems, and caretaker-strain, all increased linearly as the severity rating of dementia increased. Demented patients were frequently rated as physically dependent, forgetful, and inert, with physical dependency associated with the most severe strain to the caretaker. Mildly demented people had higher problem frequency ratings than healthy comparisons for only a few items; these included repeating questions, temper outbursts, and lack of concern for appearance and hygiene. There were highly significant differences between non-demented subjects and the moderately and severely demented subjects on almost every survey item. Wives caring for moderately demented spouses reported more strain and had higher scores on measures of anxiety, depression, somatic disturbance, and social dysfunction than husbands of moderately demented spouses. The demented men needed more help than the demented women on many physical dependency items. Children living with demented parents experienced more caretaking-strain than children who lived elsewhere. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Surveys, Dementia

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Gender differences in carers of dementia sufferers

Article Abstract:

Research demonstrates that between 70 and 80 percent of the caretakers of elderly dementia sufferers are wives or adult female children. The emotional and physical strain of such caregiving has been shown to lead to chronic illness, increased use of prescribed medication, hypertension, anxiety and depression. Recent investigations have shown that the stress of the caregiving role differs between females and males although the level of caregiving involvement is equal for both sexes. Several studies have indicated that male caretakers are more willing than female caretakers to accept help from others. In part, this is attributed to the fact that women caretakers, in particular elderly spouses and daughters, were raised during a time when women were socialized to take on a more nurturing role than males. Strain may be exacerbated among middle-aged women who have raised children and look forward to freedom for personal growth and independence. While women usually tend to become more productive and assertive as they age, men can often become more emotionally nurturing and expressive. This may account for the finding that men who care for their demented spouses tend to report positive feelings (e.g., repaying wives for their past nurturing; a lessening of guilt for previous marital problems). This is in line with a recent finding that wives tend to explain their husband's deteriorating behavior in terms of taking care of a child, while husband caregivers refer to their wives' behavioral deterioration as part of the disease process. Although today caretakers are predominantly women, evidence points to the fact that traditional views of caregiving as a female domain should be challenged. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Demographic aspects, Home care, Mentally ill aged, Mentally ill elderly

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Parietal signs and sinister prognosis in dementia: a four-year follow-up study

Article Abstract:

To assess the relationship between life expectancy of geriatric patients with senile dementia and parietal lobe function, 30 patients between the ages of 65 and 86 years old completed mental-state tests that measured parietal lobe damage. Based on neuropsychological tests administered in 1985, the patients were divided into subgroups: 18 with Alzheimer's disease, nine with multi-infarcts, and three with dementia of mixed origin. One year later, two patients had died and the 28 survivors were retested. At the four-year assessment, one subject was not available, and another 10 patients had died. There were no significant differences found between survivors and those who had died in terms of age, intelligence before impairment, and demographic or educational factors. None of the test variables significantly differentiated between surviving and deceased Alzheimer's patients. More women than men had died, and patients with greater cognitive impairment in 1985 were more likely to have died over the four-year follow-up period. Parietal damage was not a significant predictor of shorter life expectancy. The three measures that were significant predictors of shorter life expectancy were female gender, global cognitive impairment, and aphasia (difficulty in verbal and written communication). (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Physiological aspects, Prognosis, Senile dementia, Predictive value of tests, Predictive value of tests (Medical), Parietal lobes

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