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P2‐361: Neuropsychiatric symptoms as the main determinant of caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Cerveira Maria Otilia,
Kochhann Renata,
Godinho Claudia,
Forster Letícia,
Borba Ericksen,
Jesus Alyne,
Onyszko Diego,
Franciscatto Luisa,
Vieira Mauricio,
Camozzato Ana Luiza,
Chaves Marcia
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.05.1237
Subject(s) - caregiver burden , dementia , spouse , medicine , clinical dementia rating , disease , distress , alzheimer's disease , family caregivers , daughter , psychiatry , gerontology , clinical psychology , evolutionary biology , sociology , anthropology , biology
severity of cognitive impairment; SCI (70.1%, n 1⁄4 127), aMCI-n (86.2%, n 1⁄4 94), aMCI-p (96.3%, n 1⁄4 107), Mild (97%, n 1⁄4 166), and Moderate/ Severe (95.8%, n 1⁄4 96). The majority of caregivers were retired (47%), but a significant number were still employed full-time (29%) or part-time (8%), with the rest unemployed or homemakers. A high proportion of patients with subjective and objective memory impairment but not AD required assistance from caregivers. The proportion of MCI-p patients requiring caregiver engagement was similar to those with more severe stages of AD. Conclusions: Effective therapeutic intervention with a disease modifying treatment early in the course of AD may reduce the need for caregiver assistance over time and preserve the independence of both the patient and caregiver. Further research is needed to characterize caregiver roles and quantify intensity of care giving activities for early and later stages of AD.