A comparison of caregivers for elderly stroke and dementia victims.
OBJECTIVE
To compare elderly co-resident caregivers of stroke and dementia patients on measures of burden and psychological morbidity.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
Caregivers interviewed at home.


METHODS
Convenience sample, 99 co-resident caregivers of dementia and stroke patients registered with a community rehabilitation and geriatric service and who were 60 years or over.


METHODS
Caregiver burden as measured by self-administered questionnaire and subsequent interview, using the Relatives Stress Scale (RSS) and psychological morbidity as measured on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).


RESULTS
Forty-six percent of caregivers had significant psychological morbidity (GHQ greater than 4). Mean RSS score was 12.2 (SD 5.4). No significant differences were found between stroke and dementia caregivers on these measures. Caregiver burden was significantly correlated with psychological morbidity in both caregiver groups. Behavior and mood disturbance in the patient was significantly correlated with burden (dementia caregivers r = 0.66; stroke caregivers r = 0.49, P less than 0.0001) and psychological morbidity (dementia caregivers r = 0.44, P less than 0.01; stroke caregivers r = 0.30, P less than 0.05). Caregiver's dissatisfaction with participation in life activities was correlated with burden (dementia caregivers r = 0.58; stroke caregivers r = 0.63, P less than 0.0001) and psychological morbidity (dementia caregivers r = 0.67, stroke caregivers r = 0.56, P, 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly co-resident caregivers for stroke and dementia patients experience similar degrees of burden and high levels of psychological morbidity. Psychiatric aspects of chronic disability, rather than physical aspects, were found to be more stressful to caregivers. All assessments of the disabled elderly should include measures of caregiver burden and psychological distress.
Draper
B M
BM
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Poulos
C J
CJ
Cole
A M
AM
Poulos
R G
RG
Ehrlich
F
F
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*