Abstract

Background and Objective: Patients with dementia and cognitive impairment require regular care. In the present study, we assess the burden of care among primary caregiver spouses of elderly patients with dementia/cognitive impairment. Material and Method: A total of 50 elderly patients (>60 years) having a history of dementia/ cognitive impairment for a minimum of two years who had spouses as their primary caregiver were enrolled in the study. Demographic and social profile of the patients and caregivers was noted. Severity of cognitive impairment was assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Burden assessment scale (BAS) was used to study the caregiver burden. Data was analyzed using Independent samples t-test and ANOVA. Results: Mean age of patients was 74.52±5.94 years. Mean age of caregivers was 73.1±8.57 years. Majority of patients were males (64%), were from middle class (60%), lived in joint family (56%), were not able to perform their routine works (60%) and had mild cognitive impairment (56%). Mean BAS score was 68.22±10.57. No significant association of BAS scores was seen with different demographic and clinical characteristics except for severity of CI and duration of care. Conclusion: There was a substantial caregiver burden on the primary caregiver spouses of elderly patients with dementia/cognitive impairment.

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