CARING FOR AN ELDERLY PERSON - PREDICTORS OF BURDEN IN DEMENTIA CARE

In a population-based study, the burden of caring for an elderly relative was investigated. In this article the nature of burden, reported by the relatives of the elderly, is described according to Pearlin's conceptual model. Background factors and context as well as primary stressors were analysed. The close relatives were interviewed with a structured burden questionnaire. Among the background variables, gender of the caregiver was strongly associated with a heavy burden. Behaviour disturbances also emerged as a predictive factor of burden. Analysis of the primary stressors indicated that in the mild phase of dementia, long duration of the disease and decreased ADL capacity cause greater burden for the caregiver.