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Stress on relative caregivers of dementia sufferers, and predictors of the breakdown of community care
Author(s) -
Jerrom Bill,
Mian Ihsan,
Rukanyake Nemal G.,
Prothero David
Publication year - 1993
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.930080409
Subject(s) - dementia , caregiver stress , mood , psychology , psychological intervention , psychiatry , clinical psychology , gerontology , medicine , disease , pathology
Abstract The stress upon the principal relative caregivers of a series of dementia sufferers attending an assessment day hospital was studied. The main variables influencing stress levels were the caregiver's own health self‐rating and a measure of behaviour and mood disturbance in the patient. Predictors of the breakdown of community care over a 1‐year follow‐up period were studied. At 12 months caregiver's ‘caseness’ on the GHQ was a highly significant predictor. Clinical work with dementia sufferers in the community should include an assessment of the health and psychological status of the caregiver. Future research should focus upon evaluating specifically targeted interventions aimed at reducing stress in caregivers.