Stress and burden among caregivers of patients with Lewy body dementia.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with Lewy body dementia (LBD) may present a unique set of symptoms and challenges to family caregivers compared with other types of dementia. Prominent difficulties include motor impairment, activities of daily living (ADLs) disability, recurrent behavioral and emotional problems (BEPs), and diagnostic difficulties. These problems are likely to affect caregivers' subjective burden.


METHODS
The present study used data from an Internet survey conducted by the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Respondents were 611 people who indicated that they were currently involved in the care of their relative with LBD. Subjective burden was assessed with a 12-item short version of the Zarit Burden Interview.


RESULTS
A factor analysis revealed 3 dimensions of burden: role strain, personal strain, and worry about performance. Multiple regressions were used to examine predictors of these dimensions. BEPs, ADL disability, isolation, caregiver age, and patient gender were significant predictors of specific factors. Falls, formal service use, difficulty finding a physician, and evaluation of the physician had no significant associations with burden.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight burden experiences by caregivers of patients with LBD and the impact of BEPs, ADL assistance, and awareness about LBD on subjective burden.
Leggett
Amanda N
AN
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 110 S Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. anl137@psu.edu
Zarit
Steven
S
Taylor
Angela
A
Galvin
James E
JE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003625:Data Collection; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological