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Is there a desolation effect after dementia? A comparative study of mortality rates in spouses of dementia patients following admission and bereavement
Author(s) -
Ryan D. H.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930070505
Subject(s) - spouse , dementia , demography , medicine , grief , mortality rate , population , gerontology , psychology , psychiatry , disease , sociology , anthropology
Mortality rates following patient admission and patient death were measured in the surviving spouses of a sample of dementia patients admitted to a psychogeriatric unit between 1971 and 1986. The vital status of 85% of spouses was confirmed, and the ratio of observed to expected deaths (SMR) was calculated using regional and national mortality statistics. Spouse mortality following first admission to hospital was significantly lower than expected ( p < 0.006), and spouse deaths following bereavement were significantly fewer than expected ( p < 0.026). When male and female spouse mortality rates were compared, no significant differences were found, but there was a trend towards lower mortality in female spouses. The results give no support to the theory that hospital admission often follows a breakdown in the health of a caring spouse. Previous studies have shown an increase in mortality following conjugal bereavement, but the spouses of dementia patients were relative survivors and outlived their married and widowed counterparts in the general population. The possible relationships between dementia, anticipatory grief, and the impact of bereavement on the health of the surviving spouse are discussed.