Evaluation of the dementia carers situation in Russia.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the situation of carers in Russia and to determine predictors of their quality of life and psychological morbidity.


METHODS
Attendees of the geriatric department in a mental hospital and referrers to an out-patient geriatric unit who had a diagnosis of dementia and their principal carers formed the study group. CARERS: The total sample was 83, 15 males and 68 females, aged from 19 to 72 years. The relationships to the demented person were: daughters (52%); spouses (8%), sons (12%) and others (28%).


METHODS
Structured questionnaire, Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL BREF), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered.


RESULTS
The results of this study demonstrate the low level of service input most carers have been receiving. A large number of carers do not use services provided by health and social services. The most commonly received service appears to be health services (doctor visits and short-term hospital admission). Aids to daily living from social service were unknown to most carers. Female carers were found to report lower QOL mean scores in G4 (Health in general) and D1 (physical) domain and were significantly more stressed on the GHQ compared to male carers. Daughters were less dissatisfied with the QOL in G4, D1 D3 (social relationship) and D4 (environmental) domains than other relatives.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicated that carers, especially daughters, of dementia sufferers need more attention from social and health services.
Golimbet
V
V
Laboratory of Preventive Genetics, National Center for Mental Health, Zagorodnoe sh.2, k.2, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow 113152, Russia. golimbet@mail.ru
Trubnikov
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012426:Russia; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support