Caregiver burden and needs of dementia caregivers in Thailand: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the burdens of Thai dementia caregivers and to determine the services that could support them in this function.


METHODS
The authors surveyed 88 dementia caregivers attending "Caregiver Day". The questionnaire contained Caregiver Burden Inventory. The answers range from "not at all descriptive" (zero) to "very descriptive" (4). The authors also explored baseline characteristics of caregivers and care recipients as well as caregiver's needs of a supporting system.


RESULTS
There was an 82% response rate. Responses in time-dependence burden distributed almost equally in the five possible scales. In developmental and physical burden, caregivers rate scores mainly from 0-2. The scores in social and emotional burden ranged mainly between 0-1. Dependency in basic activities of daily living correlated with higher caregiver burden (odd ratio 7.48, 95% confidence interval 1.42-39.53, p = 0.02), while sex and kinship did not. The top three caregiver's needs were 1) caregiver education and training, 2) telephone line provided for caregiver consultation and 3) special system in a hospital provided for dementia patients to have rapid access to see a doctor.


CONCLUSIONS
Caring for dementia patients can lead to high caregiver burden, particularly those caring for dependent patients. Physical and developmental burdens are affected more than social and emotional burdens. Culture, relationship quality and resources (coping, outlook on life and social support) might be contributing factors of this difference.
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. siwmp@mahidol.ac.th
Weerasak
W
Muangpaisan
Rungnirand
R
Praditsuwan
Jintana
J
Assanasen
Varalak
V
Srinonprasert
Prasert
P
Assantachai
Somboon
S
Intalapaporn
Wichai
W
Chatthanawaree
Piyapat
P
Dajpratham
Vilai
V
Kuptniratsaikul
Doojpratna
D
Pisansalakij
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand