Caregiver Burden and Depression in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Little is known about contributors to burden and depression in caregivers of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) even though these patients experience cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes. We examined caregiver burden and depression in 43 caregivers for patients with MCI as well as their associations with patients' neuropsychological status and behavioral symptoms. Almost 30% of caregivers reported clinically significant burden, whereas <5% reported significant depression. Increased caregiver burden was associated with greater disinhibited behaviors by patients, whereas increased caregiver depressive symptoms were associated with greater disinhibited behaviors as well as instrumental activity of daily living (ADL) impairments. Caregiver burden and depression were not associated with patients' neuropsychological performance. Results suggest these caregivers would benefit from interventions addressing both practical methods to provide ADL assistance and behavioral methods to address inappropriate behaviors in patients in the predementia stages.