title: Do caregiver management strategies influence patient behaviour in dementia?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about the effectiveness of caregiver management strategies on the functioning of the demented patient. However, identification of specific caregiver strategies may provide useful information on the management and manifestation of behavioural problems in dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-nine patients with dementia and their informal caregivers were followed up for one year. Interviews were used to assess differences in caregiver management strategies. Behavioural disturbances in the patient were measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Repeated measures analysis were carried out to investigate the relationship between caregiver management strategies and patient behaviour.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three caregiver management strategies were identified, based on whether caregivers accepted, or not, the caregiving situation and dementia related problems. Caregivers characterized by non-acceptance were typified as 'Non-adapters'; caregivers characterized by acceptance were further subdivided into two groups typified as 'Nurturers' and 'Supporters'. Caregiver characteristics such as sex, education and personality were important determinants of management strategies. MANOVA showed that non-adapters reported significantly more hyperactivity symptoms in patients and felt less competent than did supporters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregiver management strategies would appear to be associated with behavioural problems in dementia, and are important in predicting patient behaviour and caregiver burden. Intervention programmes should aim at teaching caregivers adequate management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjolein E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Vugt
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aalten
authors.forename: Richel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lousberg
authors.forename: Niek
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jaspers
authors.forename: Ieke
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Winkens
authors.forename: Jellemer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jolles
authors.forename: Frans R J
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Verhey
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010551:Personality; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors