Dementia caregivers' most pressing concerns

Abstract

This primary-care-based study was designed to determine needs as identified by the informal caregiver. A total of 165 caregivers identified selected topics of concern. Depressed caregivers requested more information about depression, adult day care, grief, caregiver feelings, and relaxation. Caregivers of individuals with mild dementia requested more information on confusion, driving, patient depression, shadowing, telling the patient and others, grief, and depression. Behavioral (activities, combativeness, communication, confusion) and stress (healthy lifestyle, grief, relaxation, depression) needs were similar across race, gender, and relationship. However, the clinical characteristics of caregivers (depression) and care recipients (cognitive impairment severity) affected behavioral and stress and coping needs.