Factors Influencing Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia
Keywords:
depressive symptoms, preparedness, health status, older adult with dementia, caregiverAbstract
Abstract
Objective: To study the influences of dementia severity, comorbidities of older adults with dementia, comorbidities of caregivers, health status of caregivers, preparedness for family care, and mutuality between older adults and caregivers on depressive symptoms among caregivers of older adults with dementia.
Design: Descriptive predictive study
Methodology: A sample of 122 caregivers who had been taking care of older adults with dementia at least 14 hours/week for at least 3 months was recruited at a memory clinic of one tertiary hospital in Bangkok. Data were collected using questionnaires for demographic data, Charlson comorbidity index, health condition perception, preparedness for family care, mutuality between older adults and caregivers and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression.
Result: The older adults had mild level of dementia and moderate level of comorbidity severity. The caregivers of the older adults with dementia were descendants and had no comorbidity with moderate level of health status. They had moderate level of preparedness, a rather high level of mutuality and low depressive symptoms. Preparedness for family care and health status of caregivers were found as signifcant factors which could explain for 35.4% of variance (Adjust R2=0.354, F=9.277, p=0.000) However, level of dementia, comorbidities of older adults with dementia, comorbidities of caregivers and mutuality did not signifcantly predict depressive symptoms among caregivers of older adults with dementia.
Recommendations: Preparedness and health status of caregivers had influences on depressive symptoms among caregivers of older adults with dementia. The higher level of preparedness and the better health status of caregivers, they are more likely to have less depressive symptoms. Therefore, nurses should prepare caregivers to being ready and promote their health status in order to prevent depressive symptoms from caring for the older adults with dementia.
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