A comparison of the well-being of family caregivers of elderly patients hospitalized with physical impairments versus the caregivers of patients hospitalized with dementia.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with dementia and the well-being of caregivers of older patients hospitalized with physical impairments. It also explored the relationships between social roles, religious faith, and well-being.


METHODS
Two groups were constructed to compare caregivers' well-being levels: caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. The groups were caregivers of patients of two geriatric hospitals in central Israel. Patients were categorized by their medical files according to their medical diagnosis.


METHODS
A total of 107 caregivers participated in this research. Of that number, 46% were caregivers of patients with physical impairments while the other 54% were caregivers of patients with dementia. The patients with physical impairments suffered from stroke, hip fractures, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and heart and lung diseases. The patients with dementia suffered from Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Of the total number of patients, 67% were males and 33% were females.


METHODS
The caregivers were asked to fill out a questionnaire that included 90 questions. Some of the questionnaires were given to the caregivers to be filled out at home.


METHODS
The questionnaire integrated three subcategories: well-being, identity accumulation, and religious faith.


RESULTS
Differences were found only in the dimensions of social activity. Caregivers of the patients with physical impairments were found to attend synagogues and clubs more than caregivers of the patients with dementia did. The number of the caregivers' social roles were found to have been significantly related to caregivers' mental health. A negative correlation was found between the intensity of religious faith and the level of the caregivers' spouses' self-rated physical and mental health: those of stronger faith rated their physical health lower and were reported to have more symptoms of stress.


CONCLUSIONS
There are no significant differences between the level of well-being of caregivers of patients with dementia and caregivers of patients with physical impairments. Both groups of caregivers are at great risk of compromised physical and mental health, of decreased social activity, and of financial distresses. Various social roles and religious faith may enhance the caregiver's well-being. However, the spouse's religious faith has negative effects on their own well-being. These results call for welfare services and religious organizations to form support groups for family caregivers. They also make clear that all caregivers should benefit from the same social support if their older relatives are hospitalized.
Meller
S
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Geriatric Department, Chaim Shiba Medical Center Israel.