What impacts on the stress symptoms of Parkinson's carers? Results from the Parkinson's UK Members' Survey

Purpose: Caring for a patient with Parkinson's disease (PD) is stressful and has a significant impact on the carer's physical and mental health. This article is aimed at assessing which characteristics are most frequently associated with the stress symptoms of PD carers. Method: Data from the Parkinson's UK Members' Survey were drawn from 1881 valid self-completion surveys, filled in by carers of a patient with PD. Results: The carers, 95.6% of whom were a first-degree relative, reported an average of 2.7 +/- 3.1 stress-related symptoms. In multiple regression analysis, a greater number of symptoms were associated (p<0.01) with: the more tasks that the carer carried out (beta = 0.35), an increased number of carer's co-morbidities (0.22) and worsening financial status (0.16). Conclusions: It is important to consider the health of both the patient with PD as well as that of the family carer to reduce the impact of caring activity on the carer's stress.